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Personal Journaling for Kids
by Susie Cortright
My journal is a confidante, a creativity tool, and a way of finding clarity like
no other. So, as soon as my children were old enough to grip a crayon, I have
been encouraging to keep their own personal journals.
How does journaling benefit a child?
Children reap the same benefits in keeping a personal journal as do adults.
At all ages, there are just certain times when life feels fuzzy, and we know
it’s time to get out our journal and write until things make more sense. Gaining
clarity in this way can help us sort things out and determine when we need to
talk things out with someone – and what precisely our needs are. In this way,
journals serve as a remarkable way to increase self esteem and to allow children
to observe their lives from a new perspective. Journals offer a safe place for
children to express themselves creatively. Journals also preserve memories for
posterity. They offer the most authentic evidence of a child’s point of view at
particular and various stages of their lives. How can I help my child start
journaling?
Here are some ideas:
- Above all, journaling needs to be fun for kids. I find the best success when I
don’t offer specific prompts of exercises (because I don’t want it to feel like
homework.)
- Kids also need to know their journal is absolutely private and confidential. A
child needs to be able to trust that parents, siblings, and friends will not
peek in to the journal unless specifically invited to do so.
Ask your child if there’s anything in the journal he or she would like to share
with anyone, but make sure your child knows that you will not be reading it –
and the focus is not on writing things correctly – but on expressing themselves
and getting to the meat of her own thoughts.
- Allow your children to choose their own journal – and maybe a unique pen.
Encourage your children to personalize the journal. Give them a magazine and
have them cut out words and images that describe them and create a collage on
the cover that is unique to them.
A personal journal doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, I find that I’m less
inhibited in my journaling if the book is a plain old notebook or composition
book. If your child is more apt to draw photos than to write, consider a
sketchpad instead. Some kids feel most comfortable with some notecards and a
special “thought box,” which can also be decorated and personalized.
- Emphasize the fact that there is no right or wrong way to keep a personal
journal. This is about letting life flow and to capture it however you like.
- Write in your journal alongside your child. I am in the habit of writing in my
journal each day. When you model that behavior, you’ll find that this is how
your children use their journals as well. My daughter leaves her journal in the
car so that it’s readily available during her quiet downtime each day.
About the author:
Susie Cortright is the creator of Momscape.com - a website devoted to
celebrating life with children.
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