Children's Story Writing Diploma
Why you should study with us
This course is for you if you have ever considered writing stories for children but didn't know where to start. The Children's Story Writing Diploma course covers a wide range of topics from telling you what you need to get started through to how to develop characters, backstory and plot. This course has everything you need. The course consists of 13 super-informative modules and will take between 15 and 20 hours to complete.
Children's Story Writing Diploma Course
Have you always wanted to allow your creativity to flow and become a successful children's story writer? This is your chance to learn all you need to know to write your own children's book, come up with your own characters and discover your passion for writing.
Introduction to Children's Story Writing Diploma
The Children's Story Writing Diploma covers a range of topics, helping you develop your characters, the plot and write a great story that you can publish for children around the world. This course covers a range of topics in thirteen modules which takes between fifteen to twenty hours to complete. You will learn how to develop your characters and plot. You will get the guidance, skills and support you need to become a children's story writer with online modules that you can study from anywhere at any time on any device. This course will help to allow your creativity to flow and become a successful writer, with no previous experience necessary. The information packed modules have been carefully constructed to give you everything you need to write a children's story with complete confidence.
What You Will Learn
The course comprises of thirteen information packed modules and a multiple choice test. The course includes:
- Introduction – the introductory module includes what writing a book for children entails and what it is about children's story writing that appeals to you.
- What you will need to write literature for children – this value packed module will identify the tools and personal skills you will need to write a successful story.
- Examples of what other children's writers do well – in this module you will learn what some of the best children's writers do well and how to use existing children's books to write your own.
- How to choose an age group's point of view – you will learn how to choose an age group and the importance of writing for a particular age group. You will also learn a number of points of view you can make use of when writing your book.
- Getting started from the first page and creating the perfect setting – this module will teach you what you can do to make your first page stand out and the importance of the first line and page of your children's book.
- Learn how to build a good character for your book – learn how to get good characters and why your characters are so important. You will also learn how to differentiate your characters based on the age group you are targeting.
- Plot planning – learn how to create a plot, identify with other plot structures and learn ways to develop your plot structure.
- Using a backstory – What is a backstory? How to ensure your backstory isn't boring? Why you need a backstory when writing children's literature.
- Writing dialogue that makes your story flow – this module will teach you how to use dialogue and why it is so important, along with how to make your dialogue realistic and engaging.
- Useful advice to improve confidence and purpose – identify common problems you will face, tips to achieve your writing goals and effective tools to overcome writer's block.
- Practical writing exercises – identify why writing exercises are so important and how writing a blog may enhance your writing.
- Working with illustrators – know the power of illustration, how to submit a picture book for publication and how to choose and work with an illustrator.
- Working with publishers and selling your story – know the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing, the process you will have to go through in getting your children's book published and whether you are going to need a literary agent.
Benefits of the Children's Story Writing Diploma
This diploma will provide you with a host of benefits once you have completed the course successfully, including being able to download and print your certificate on successful passing of the multiple choice test. The benefits of taking this course include:
- The course will help you to become a creative thinker when working on your own project.
- You will learn how to organise your ideas in order to write clearly.
- Your self-confidence will improve when you see your work on paper.
- You will discover your passion for writing.
- You will get to step outside your comfort zone to achieve writing success.
This course includes
24/7 Student Support
End of course certification
Lifetime access to your course
Compatible with modern devices
- What is it about writing children's books that appeals to you?
- Clearing up the myth that writing for kids is easier than writing for adults
- Some other common misconceptions about writing books for children
- What does writing a children's book actually entail?
Module 2 : What you will need to Write Children's Literature in regards to Tools and Personal Skills
- Physical items you will need to start writing a book
- Managing your time efficiently
- Personal skills you need to succeed as a children’s writer
- Skills you can develop in order to write children’s literature
- How to use other children's books in order to write your own
- A look at some famous picture books aimed at younger readers
- Excellent examples of first chapter books
- Books aimed at teenagers and young adults
- The importance of writing for a particular age group
- How to choose an age group
- The most common age groupings used by publishers
- The various points of view you can use to narrate your book
- The importance of the first page and first line
- Examples of some great first lines in existing children's books
- What you can do to make your first page stand out
- What not to do in a first page
- Why creating good characters is important
- How to get ideas for characters
- How characters will differ depending on your target age range
- The qualities a character needs to be real and engaging
- A definition of plot and why it is important
- How to come up with plot ideas
- The traditional plot structure
- How to develop your plot ideas
- The definition of backstory
- Why backstory is important in children's literature
- What happens when backstory is employed incorrectly
- When to use backstory and when to avoid it
- Why dialogue is important
- The uses of dialogue
- How to make your dialogue realistic
- How to make your dialogue engaging
- The problems that a writer will face
- How to improve self-esteem and banish your critical inner voice
- How to achieve your writing goals
- How to overcome writer's block
- Why writing exercises are useful
- Some writing exercises for different aspects of writing
- Some writing exercises to prompt your writing if you need ideas
- How blogging might help you as an emerging writer
- The power of illustration
- The differing nature of illustration for different formats and age ranges
- How to submit a picture book for publication to a conventional publishing house
- How to choose and work with an illustrator
- The importance of perfecting your manuscript before you submit it
- How conventional publishing and self-publishing compare
- The process of getting your book published by a publishing house
- Whether you need a literary agent
ID: YDFT67YHJ
of achievement
This certificate is presented to
Your Name
For completing the
Children's Story Writing Diploma
on 21st November 2026
Selena Hurford
Selena Hurford
Course Tutor
Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan
Head of Academy
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.
The course is broken down into 13 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!
Once you have completed all 13 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 13 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.
The pass mark for the test is 70%.
If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.
You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.
You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.
We estimate that the course will take about 20 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.
Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.
I found this course most interesting. Having been a Receptionist in various industries over the years, and learning more at each location, this course helped focus my thoughts 'back to basics' and made me rethink some of the things I'd learnt. Very helpful, very concise, informative and uncomplicated.
It also gave great insights into the different kind of Reception work which can be so varied. I have been put forward for a Doctors Receptionist vacancy, a 'trade' I haven't ventured into yet, and will take what I have learnt from the course to the interview and hopefully it will stand me in good stead.
Maggie Jones
Really interesting and a good starting point for increasing my understanding and knowledge. Easy to access at any time, modules were nice and short so good bursts of information and easy to understand. I feel that I have gained knowledge that I can take forward within my current profession and apply my knowledge to get the best possible results for my organisation in all forms of media. Would recommend this course for anyone looking to start off in this career and looking to gain solid background information to take you forward. You have the flexibility to learn in your own time and take it at your own pace which is great when you are already working full time.
Sophie Graham
Absolutely loved this course!! I am very happy with my experience in completing this online course with New Skills Academy.
It was an easy process and their website is very easy to get around. No stress over time limits. I worked through the course at my own pace, and from the comforts of my own home.
Very informative and loved the worksheet after each module which gave me a chance to really think about the work needed for the final test and gave me a chance to really understand each module.
I will definitely be putting what I have learned from the course into practice within our office.
Natalie Rogerson
I am so far really enjoying the course. Information is really well presented and tests a great recap to information covered. I also think the Notes tool is a good addition, however, the saving seems a little unstable so I have lost notes on a couple of the modules.
I figured that I needed to save prior to taking the test, but had selected a picture and as there was no close option, I clicked back and lost the notes I had taken. Apart from that, I am really enjoying the format and am finding the information easy to retain.
Amanda Rolfe
Excellent course, easy to follow, excellent tutorial videos that set examples out very simply and are easy to pause or fast forward meaning you can go through this course at totally your own speed.
The work sheets are very good as the examples from the video are all replicated clearly and you can skip back and forth between the worksheet and the video if you don’t remember something completely the first time. When you are confident with the subject, you move yourself on to the next one
I love that I can do this completely in my own time and am sure that at the end of the course I will be confident in my own ability to use Excel.
Caroline Powell
I had looked at a lot of different courses like this to help my CPD as an NQT. Not only was it super value for money, but really easy to use and work with.
Having the opportunity to print or PDF information means I can keep any work as evidence.
I have been very impressed with this course and will defiantly look to complete similar courses soon.
Kim Hudspith
This course is for you if you have ever considered writing stories for children but didn't know where to start. The Children's Story Writing Diploma course covers a wide range of topics from telling you what you need to get started through to how to develop characters, backstory and plot. This course has everything you need. The course consists of 13 super-informative modules and will take between 15 and 20 hours to complete.
Children's Story Writing Diploma Course
Have you always wanted to allow your creativity to flow and become a successful children's story writer? This is your chance to learn all you need to know to write your own children's book, come up with your own characters and discover your passion for writing.
Introduction to Children's Story Writing Diploma
The Children's Story Writing Diploma covers a range of topics, helping you develop your characters, the plot and write a great story that you can publish for children around the world. This course covers a range of topics in thirteen modules which takes between fifteen to twenty hours to complete. You will learn how to develop your characters and plot. You will get the guidance, skills and support you need to become a children's story writer with online modules that you can study from anywhere at any time on any device. This course will help to allow your creativity to flow and become a successful writer, with no previous experience necessary. The information packed modules have been carefully constructed to give you everything you need to write a children's story with complete confidence.
What You Will Learn
The course comprises of thirteen information packed modules and a multiple choice test. The course includes:
- Introduction – the introductory module includes what writing a book for children entails and what it is about children's story writing that appeals to you.
- What you will need to write literature for children – this value packed module will identify the tools and personal skills you will need to write a successful story.
- Examples of what other children's writers do well – in this module you will learn what some of the best children's writers do well and how to use existing children's books to write your own.
- How to choose an age group's point of view – you will learn how to choose an age group and the importance of writing for a particular age group. You will also learn a number of points of view you can make use of when writing your book.
- Getting started from the first page and creating the perfect setting – this module will teach you what you can do to make your first page stand out and the importance of the first line and page of your children's book.
- Learn how to build a good character for your book – learn how to get good characters and why your characters are so important. You will also learn how to differentiate your characters based on the age group you are targeting.
- Plot planning – learn how to create a plot, identify with other plot structures and learn ways to develop your plot structure.
- Using a backstory – What is a backstory? How to ensure your backstory isn't boring? Why you need a backstory when writing children's literature.
- Writing dialogue that makes your story flow – this module will teach you how to use dialogue and why it is so important, along with how to make your dialogue realistic and engaging.
- Useful advice to improve confidence and purpose – identify common problems you will face, tips to achieve your writing goals and effective tools to overcome writer's block.
- Practical writing exercises – identify why writing exercises are so important and how writing a blog may enhance your writing.
- Working with illustrators – know the power of illustration, how to submit a picture book for publication and how to choose and work with an illustrator.
- Working with publishers and selling your story – know the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing, the process you will have to go through in getting your children's book published and whether you are going to need a literary agent.
Benefits of the Children's Story Writing Diploma
This diploma will provide you with a host of benefits once you have completed the course successfully, including being able to download and print your certificate on successful passing of the multiple choice test. The benefits of taking this course include:
- The course will help you to become a creative thinker when working on your own project.
- You will learn how to organise your ideas in order to write clearly.
- Your self-confidence will improve when you see your work on paper.
- You will discover your passion for writing.
- You will get to step outside your comfort zone to achieve writing success.
This course includes
24/7 Student Support
End of course certification
Lifetime access to your course
Compatible with modern devices
- What is it about writing children's books that appeals to you?
- Clearing up the myth that writing for kids is easier than writing for adults
- Some other common misconceptions about writing books for children
- What does writing a children's book actually entail?
Module 2 : What you will need to Write Children's Literature in regards to Tools and Personal Skills
- Physical items you will need to start writing a book
- Managing your time efficiently
- Personal skills you need to succeed as a children’s writer
- Skills you can develop in order to write children’s literature
- How to use other children's books in order to write your own
- A look at some famous picture books aimed at younger readers
- Excellent examples of first chapter books
- Books aimed at teenagers and young adults
- The importance of writing for a particular age group
- How to choose an age group
- The most common age groupings used by publishers
- The various points of view you can use to narrate your book
- The importance of the first page and first line
- Examples of some great first lines in existing children's books
- What you can do to make your first page stand out
- What not to do in a first page
- Why creating good characters is important
- How to get ideas for characters
- How characters will differ depending on your target age range
- The qualities a character needs to be real and engaging
- A definition of plot and why it is important
- How to come up with plot ideas
- The traditional plot structure
- How to develop your plot ideas
- The definition of backstory
- Why backstory is important in children's literature
- What happens when backstory is employed incorrectly
- When to use backstory and when to avoid it
- Why dialogue is important
- The uses of dialogue
- How to make your dialogue realistic
- How to make your dialogue engaging
- The problems that a writer will face
- How to improve self-esteem and banish your critical inner voice
- How to achieve your writing goals
- How to overcome writer's block
- Why writing exercises are useful
- Some writing exercises for different aspects of writing
- Some writing exercises to prompt your writing if you need ideas
- How blogging might help you as an emerging writer
- The power of illustration
- The differing nature of illustration for different formats and age ranges
- How to submit a picture book for publication to a conventional publishing house
- How to choose and work with an illustrator
- The importance of perfecting your manuscript before you submit it
- How conventional publishing and self-publishing compare
- The process of getting your book published by a publishing house
- Whether you need a literary agent
ID: YDFT67YHJ
of achievement
This certificate is presented to
Your Name
For completing the
Children's Story Writing Diploma
on 21st November 2026
Selena Hurford
Selena Hurford
Course Tutor
Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan
Head of Academy
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.
The course is broken down into 13 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!
Once you have completed all 13 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 13 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.
The pass mark for the test is 70%.
If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.
You can either use your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. Our site uses the latest SSL encryption to ensure your safety. All payments are handled securely by PayPal.
You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received. You will create your login details during the checkout process. We will also send you an email confirming your login details.
We estimate that the course will take about 20 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.
Once you have been awarded your certificate it is valid for life. The certificate does not expire or need renewing.
I found this course most interesting. Having been a Receptionist in various industries over the years, and learning more at each location, this course helped focus my thoughts 'back to basics' and made me rethink some of the things I'd learnt. Very helpful, very concise, informative and uncomplicated.
It also gave great insights into the different kind of Reception work which can be so varied. I have been put forward for a Doctors Receptionist vacancy, a 'trade' I haven't ventured into yet, and will take what I have learnt from the course to the interview and hopefully it will stand me in good stead.
Maggie Jones
Really interesting and a good starting point for increasing my understanding and knowledge. Easy to access at any time, modules were nice and short so good bursts of information and easy to understand. I feel that I have gained knowledge that I can take forward within my current profession and apply my knowledge to get the best possible results for my organisation in all forms of media. Would recommend this course for anyone looking to start off in this career and looking to gain solid background information to take you forward. You have the flexibility to learn in your own time and take it at your own pace which is great when you are already working full time.
Sophie Graham
Absolutely loved this course!! I am very happy with my experience in completing this online course with New Skills Academy.
It was an easy process and their website is very easy to get around. No stress over time limits. I worked through the course at my own pace, and from the comforts of my own home.
Very informative and loved the worksheet after each module which gave me a chance to really think about the work needed for the final test and gave me a chance to really understand each module.
I will definitely be putting what I have learned from the course into practice within our office.
Natalie Rogerson
I am so far really enjoying the course. Information is really well presented and tests a great recap to information covered. I also think the Notes tool is a good addition, however, the saving seems a little unstable so I have lost notes on a couple of the modules.
I figured that I needed to save prior to taking the test, but had selected a picture and as there was no close option, I clicked back and lost the notes I had taken. Apart from that, I am really enjoying the format and am finding the information easy to retain.
Amanda Rolfe
Excellent course, easy to follow, excellent tutorial videos that set examples out very simply and are easy to pause or fast forward meaning you can go through this course at totally your own speed.
The work sheets are very good as the examples from the video are all replicated clearly and you can skip back and forth between the worksheet and the video if you don’t remember something completely the first time. When you are confident with the subject, you move yourself on to the next one
I love that I can do this completely in my own time and am sure that at the end of the course I will be confident in my own ability to use Excel.
Caroline Powell
I had looked at a lot of different courses like this to help my CPD as an NQT. Not only was it super value for money, but really easy to use and work with.
Having the opportunity to print or PDF information means I can keep any work as evidence.
I have been very impressed with this course and will defiantly look to complete similar courses soon.
Kim Hudspith
Why you should study with us
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Omg im so excited, over joyed and all the good stuff that comes to mind! Wonderful experience doing lessons with New Skills Academy. I look foward to doing more courses with them. I hope this will encourage others to come on board and refresh your minds or to learn something new, it's a win win situation. I want to thank New Skills Academy so much for making this as simple as possible for me.
Shari Anderson
I found this course incredibly useful, as it provided me with practical knowledge which I can implement in my role as a Support Worker. The videos were clear and concise, and the downloadable worksheets reinforced what I had learned as I was able to put pen to paper. Overall, a fantastic course for a great price! I am looking forward to taking on my next one.
Teleisha Harley
Excellent course, well explained and easy to understand. The course can be done at my own pace and is available on various devices. The layout of the course was excellent and the notes options is very good. The content is perfect and well structured, making it easy to understand and follow. I will definitely be taking more courses in the future.
Luis Costa
Very interesting and helpful course. I ve learned a lot of interesting things about make up and the tutorials were very helpful and easy to understand. I really reccomend this course for everyone who is passionate about make up and wish to develop their skills and make a career from their hobby.
Nicoleta Lucaci
This is a great course for any level of knowledge. Very easy to navigate, great practical tasks and explanations are very clear. You can revise any module with no problem. The test wasn’t too hard if you completed every module. It may be handy to make some notes before you start. Overall I'm very happy with my choice. Thank you New skills for my New skills :)
Julia Bobkova
It was an eye opening course that was flexible and easy to access. I was able to complete it from the comfort of my own home whilst also having the tasks to complete which enabled me to check my knowledge. I know feel much more confident in my field of work and really enjoyed doing it.
Ellie Clarke
I am a doctor. This course is well organized, covering all areas of CBT. The videos and practical tips are very helpful. All the modules are arranged with good explanations and examples. Also each module consists of quick test and assignment which enables you to gain knowledge. Finally I would like to thank the New Skills Academy team.
Dr. M. Arshad
I took up this course initially to help me with my own dog, but found that as I worked through the material I actually started thinking that this could be something that I could use to make a second income. From start to finish I found the course engaging and interesting. I am now doing another dog related course and am experiencing the same level of enjoyment. I would recommend New Skills Academy without hesitation.
Keith Smith
