Journaling for Kids: 5 Simple Tips To Get Them Started
What many educators already know is that the practice of journaling for kids allows them to gain mastery over the written word. And an even better benefit is that regular journaling can help them explore their own thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a way nothing else quite can. Pretty good reasons to encourage your children to start keeping a journal.
How can you encourage your kids to embrace journaling?
1) Start With the Right Tools. Before you hand your kids a plain notebook and pencil, ask yourself what would encourage you to write in a journal?
There are so many fun journals to choose from. So consider allowing your children to select from a “pre-approved” assortment you’re willing to purchase. And if you already know their preferences (like race cars, butterflies, outer space, dinosaurs, or even favorite colors etc.), you should be able to find notebooks with themed covers that will bring a smile.
With all that said, if you’re the crafty sort (and you have the materials on-hand), wouldn’t it be wonderful to help them decorate that plain notebook mentioned earlier, making it extra-special and unique to each child?
2) Show Them Examples. This piggy-backs on the above. Depending upon your child’s age, it may be hard to know what type of journal would work best. For example, one child who loves to draw might enjoy an art journal. Another child who loves to be outside might like a nature journal. Look up examples online and be encouraging no matter what they decide.
3) Consider Partnering Up. To get your child(ren) into the journaling habit, consider starting out by including them in a family journal. A family journal is a book anyone can add to whenever they like. Keep this in a central location, and be sure to add things to it yourself which will appeal to them. Talk about issues, interests, plans, and other family-related topics.
4) Give Them Some Ideas. On those days when your kids are stuck for writing ideas, It never hurts to have a few prompts handy. Help them create a list of ideas they can use when needed. As a matter of fact, a “Prompt Jar” could be fun way to store ideas written on scraps of paper. Just be sure to keep an eye on the level of ideas in the jar so you can add to it as needed.
5) Remind Kids There’s No Wrong Way to Journal. Journaling for kids (or even grown-ups for that matter), is never meant to be a chore. If your children become worried about judgement (over grammar, messy marks etc.), they will never enjoy writing in their journals. Encourage them to be themselves on the page. At the same time, let them know:
- that no one is judging them
- that if they feel they’ve made mistakes, it’s OK
- that journaling is a journey and they can and will get even better over time
When your kids are exposed to journaling in an engaging way, a whole new world opens up. It’s up to you to keep them encouraged and inspired so they can keep on writing.
