How to Teach Your Child to Journal

Bethany M. Edwards Ex-Pat Education, Parent Education, Travel, Writing Resources beginning writing, Early Childhood Education, early literacy, early writing skills, how to get kids to journal, how to help kids journal, journal, journaling, journaling with young children, kindergarten, Pre-K, teach your child how to journal, teach your child to write, writing with children

If you are looking for how to teach your child to journal, we are here to help. This is a Q&A post where I explain the journal writing process I use with my own daughter. Join us as we share the moments of joy and frustration of daily journaling.

Why Journaling with Kids is Magical

Q: How often do you have your child write in her journal?

A: I have my daughter write in her journal every day. This is a routine and a habit I believe in as much as reading. It’s tied together with our nightly reading; a non-negotiable part of our day that we don’t skip over when we are “busy.”

Q: What kind of journal do you use?

A: Mead MEA09956 Primary Journal K-2nd Grade

The neat thing about this journal is that it has a place for kids to draw or color on the top of the page and lines on the bottom to write.

If you are looking for more structure, I recently found a WONDERFUL resource that combines a child’s reading and writing life. This journal has weekly prompts where your child can draw and write about a book they read. They can record or draw their thoughts or feelings about the book. Fun extras include book wish lists, fill-in-the-blank stories, and more. Click HERE to grab yours today!

Q: How old was your daughter when you started this?

A: My daughter was 3 years old when she started journaling. She started with just pictures and then worked up the stages of writing.

Q: Before she could write, would you have her tell you what to write?

A: Before she started writing, she drew pictures to express her thoughts. She then transitioned to inventive writing where the letters were make-believe. Next came copying or tracing words she would dictate orally, and then as she grew in her writing process, she progressed to be able to write herself.

Q: What kinds of skills does this build in your four year old?

A: The Reflection process is key to developing critical thinking skills in a child. Responding to “what is important or significant in your day” is key to understanding and being in touch with her feelings. She is able to communicate ups and downs in her day as a young child and it is important as she grows that she feels safe to communicate these feelings and understand why they are valid.

She also learns discipline by keeping up with journaling daily and the importance of reflection by revisiting her past entries.

Q: Are these any different from the skills you see your 1st graders develop?

This is exactly how I teach my students. In an international school environment, students come to grade 1 at all different levels. The kids in my class are expected to move to a new country ever 1-3 years. They change schools, curriculum, friends, houses, food, everything.

They need to process the life changes in a healthy way, and to use journaling to express those feelings as well as an assessment tool for their academic progress, it is vital. Every day in our class, we spend 10-15 minutes journaling with the same journal my daughter uses.

My favorite journal entry was written by a 1st grad child from India in 2008. I was teaching first grade at the QSI international school in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Central Asia).

Every day we write in journals and I give students a prompt to finish.

On Fridays, the students get to choose their own topic (Friday Free Write).

With this freedom, I will get sentences and pictures about hamburgers, superheroes, sharks, princesses and every silly subject a child finds fascinating.

And then sometimes, I get a topic that I will never forget.

This non-native English speaker had been in my class for 2 months and was struggling. He was completely motivated and had the family support teachers dream about.

An International perspective on US elections

It was election time (October 2008), so the news was saturated with the American presidential race. My classroom is full of diplomats from all over the world who were, not surprisingly, up all on all current politics.

I came around the room to see Yashwan’s progress and saw that his “writing” (he was at the illustration stage 7) was a picture of 2 men (Obama and Romney) on a house fighting and then it said below, “I am win.” I asked him to describe his journal entry and got a wonderful, life-altering answer.

This 6-year-old said “you know Madam, the Americans talk too much. They must go up on the roof and fight and the winner will be the president. This is best for America, yes?”

Writing through Real Life Connections

This little brilliant, politically savvy journal entry is imprinted forever in my mind. He was given the freedom and safe space to create and write what was on his mind. It was that answer that changed the way I allowed students to give feedback in writing to this day.

Students, like adults, are so full of thoughts and emotions about their perspective on daily life around them, and need the outlet and opportunity to record or document them.

This child watched the news with his dad daily and how amazing was his little brain at figuring out what I know many of you say about the election race 🙂

Road Trip Writing

My 4-year-old went on a little trip this summer. Our 8 1/2 week itinerary took us to Mauritania (West Africa)- Istanbul, Turkey- Split/Hvar/Dubrovnik Croatia-DC-upstate NY- Connecticut-Massachusetts-Virginia-North Carolina-Florida-Chicago-San Diego, DC- NYC- and back to Mauritania.

Now you may ask, why on Earth would you do that and how?? See “Why teach at an International School 101” to be written at a future date 🙂

My daughter is a transitional writer and in her carry on suitcase was a composition book and fresh colored pencils and crayons to help her document the trip. She had daily entries range from “Mama, Daddy, Havana” with a happy face to “The underground caves was really fun.”

The days she was tired, she drew pictures. The days she was fresh, she wrote vivid memories of the adventures and family and friends she reunited with that day.

Sometimes “We went here” with a brochure stapled on the page was enough.

Realistic Goals when Writing with Kids

The goal was not a Pulitzer; the goal was to document the highlights, adventures, disappointments, and anger of the day.

Let me tell you if you journal on the regular, the 4-year-old version of you is not too far off of the 28-year-old version when it comes to complaining about your nagging parents.

Havana had moments of rolling eyes, sitting behind the hotel desk with laundry piles and suitcases strewn all over the room. It was a less than ideal, and more chaotic than not, the environment on some occasions, but the goal remained.

Write what you feel and draw what you can’t express with words. And most importantly, let yourself remember the day as you saw it.

I push my daughter hard and some would say too hard, but let me tell you, the results are so wonderful at times that it humbles me to tears. There is pure enjoyment in the moments where she writes that beautiful sentence using sight words she has learned and remembers to use punctuation and she smiles up at me with pride at her skills.

Kids get Writer’s Block Too

The most hilarious moment to enjoy was when she wrote “NO Mama” because she wanted to go out to the beach and play instead of writing. But she completed the goal. Adults have those days too where we have nothing left and just want to write “NO” and close our journal and get another glass of wine. It’s real. And important.

I get to remember these summer moments with my daughter when she is older. Her beautiful, as well as tumultuous journey, is well documented.

If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out how I discovered the best travel souvenir is a book.

Now tell us, do you have any amazing journaling moments with the little ones that you can share with us? Tell us in the comments below!

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35 Comments

Charlie
04/26/2017 @ 1:41 am

Even as someone that keeps diaries- it never occurred to me to journal with children! Great tips!
- Bethany M. Edwards
  04/26/2017 @ 1:53 am
  
  It’s one of those things that hit me too. I did journaling with my students every day, why am I not doing the same with my own child?! Thanks for commenting!
arita
04/26/2017 @ 1:23 am

I don’t have kids yet,I’m pregnant actually so definitley saving this post for the future <3 thank you for sharing
- Bethany M. Edwards
  04/26/2017 @ 1:24 am
  
  Congratulations!! May you and the baby have many happy memories to write about soon!!
mummamorrison
03/28/2017 @ 6:48 am

I think the concept of journalling is such a great idea, no matter the age of the child (or adult!). I’m going back onto grade 2 later in the year, and I would love to incorporate journalling somehow. Thanks for sharing!
#humpdayhype
lupa08
03/24/2017 @ 2:23 am

This blog is a great initiative. I think reading and writing is a habit that requires encouragement and fostering from an early age, one which can benefit an individual throughout their life. I certainly thank my elementary and junior high school teachers for inculcating an active reading schedule for me, which I truly believe has made me a more observant, tolerant and successful person.
Ninz
03/23/2017 @ 7:25 pm

This sounds like a great idea. I have 6 years old son and I think he will love this. He is very creative and love drawing so he might draw as well as write in his journal.
Ninz
- Bethany Edwards
  03/23/2017 @ 9:40 pm
  
  Cheers to us parents of 6 year olds! It’s such a great age to express themselves through writing and drawing!
Dana
03/23/2017 @ 6:00 pm

Writing down one’s thoughts and feelings is such a great way to help children reflect on their day and their overall goals. There is so much going through their brains throughout the day that taking time to express it in written form helps them clarify things that may have been a little fuzzy.
- Bethany Edwards
  03/23/2017 @ 6:32 pm
  
  I like your perspective on journaling. Clarity does come from writing in a unique way! Thanks for commenting!
Stefany
03/23/2017 @ 11:45 am

I never knew it was possible to teach a young child how to journal. I say thanks for the tips i know it will be beneficial to most parents.
- Bethany Edwards
  03/23/2017 @ 11:56 am
  
  It is amazing what kids can accomplish if given the opportunity! They are the most fascinating creatures on the planet in my opinion! Thanks for commenting! Cheers!
Alex Snider
03/23/2017 @ 1:14 am

I should get journals for my boys! I think they would love to journal everyday. I never thought about the fact it would help them develop habits.
- Bethany Edwards
  03/23/2017 @ 7:43 am
  
  I am so happy to hear you were inspired! Thank you for commenting!!
Jan Limark
03/22/2017 @ 9:43 pm

Wow. This will be a great activity for kids everyday. They can draw and write everything they thank God for the day

All the Best,
Jan Limark | Brotherly Creative
- Bethany Edwards
  03/22/2017 @ 10:43 pm
  
  It could definitely be a spiritual ritual for kids as well as their thoughts on the day. I think the more creative ways to get kids writing, the better. Thank you so much for your comment!
babiestobookworms
03/22/2017 @ 8:54 pm

I really like this idea! I definitely want to try journaling with my daughter when she is older, and I think starting with the drawing journal sounds like a fantastic idea!
- Bethany Edwards
  03/22/2017 @ 10:41 pm
  
  Drawing and then labeling with your daughters own words is a classic! The kids say the most hilarious and endearing things when their vocabulary is precocious and it could not be more adorable. Thanks for commenting!
Justine
03/22/2017 @ 5:00 pm

This is a great idea! I remember journaling when I was younger and it helps fuel creativity and allow people to look back at it.

Justine
https://www.theiridescentwings.com
- Bethany Edwards
  03/22/2017 @ 6:19 pm
  
  I love being able to look back at my kids writing too. Great reflection for them as well as us! Thanks for commenting!!
tinmccarthy
03/22/2017 @ 4:57 pm

My girls have journals- but I don’t really have them write in it as frequently as I should. I let it be organic and allow them to pick it up when they feel the desire. Sometimes I suggest it in place of their night;y reading so that they can choose and not get bored with either.
- Bethany Edwards
  03/22/2017 @ 6:18 pm
  
  There’s definitely a fine line between organic and forced writing for children. But you know your kids best and how to encourage them!!:) Thanks for commenting!
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog
03/22/2017 @ 4:48 pm

I think this is why I enjoy writing so much. When I was younger, my parents bought me a journal and encouraged me to write about any family trips we went on. Soon, I started keeping my own diaries. And now, here I am, a full blown adult obsessed with blogging. It starts when we’re young. <3
- Bethany Edwards
  03/22/2017 @ 4:49 pm
  
  The habits of childhood follow you for life! From one obsessed writer to another, cheers to you sister! Thanks for commenting!
bohemiannation
03/22/2017 @ 4:44 pm

I love this post! I WISH my parents would have pushed me a bit more into journaling or writing when I was younger, because I would love to look back on that… and also the creativity involved and the ability to work through emotions and express oneself… it’s just a great practice for ANY age! I love the Q and A format, too!
- Bethany Edwards
  03/22/2017 @ 4:45 pm
  
  I agree, to be able to track your childhood through a journal is priceless!! Thanks for commenting! Cheers!!
Tifany Lee
03/22/2017 @ 4:37 pm

I love journaling and would love to pass this down to my daughter. I think the habit/routine creates a safe space to deal with emotions and dream/plan. Thanks for the great article!
- Bethany Edwards
  03/22/2017 @ 4:39 pm
  
  Agreed; the dreaming especially.. I think writing those things down starting at a young age is such a legacy to pass on. Thanks for commenting!!
Shekhar Ruparelia
12/01/2015 @ 3:24 am

This post might just have given me *my* daily-journalling mojo back!
- Jessica Manuel
  12/01/2015 @ 9:19 pm
  
  Haha! Are you going to draw pictures too? That’s the best part.
  - Shekhar Ruparelia
    12/11/2015 @ 11:50 pm
    
    😀 I only maintain a digital journal (an app on the iPad called Day One), so no chances of doodling or drawing pictures. Yet.
Garry Maurice
11/28/2015 @ 11:00 pm

Howdy, fellow DFW fan! Great site you have, cheers for liking my stuff.
- Jessica Manuel
  11/29/2015 @ 9:11 am
  
  Haha! Greetings, and cheers to you for having great taste in literature!
claskey106
11/27/2015 @ 12:31 pm

I love this. Both of my kids (11 and 5 journal). They also create summertime diaries. Great way for kids to express themselves.