You might be asking yourself why should I encourage my child to keep a journal at home?
Journaling has many purposes! Here are some of the why’s to journal.
It builds writing and reading skills.
It can be another outlet for your child to express their feelings.
Strengthens the hand and increases fine motor skills.
My favorite kind of journal is a buddy journal. One day your child can write or draw about their day and then you can write the next day. Not only does this model what good writing looks like (the purpose behind you writing in the journal), you get to have an insight about what your child might be thinking or feeling. You might learn about how their day at school went or any problems they might be having with other students in their class. (Also it is a great keepsake!)
Does this conversation sound familiar?
Parent: “How was your day at school?”
Child: “It was good.”
Parent: What did you do?”
Child: “I don’t know.”
Parent: “Did you learn anything knew?”
Child: “I can’t remember.”
The game of twenty questions can last all night, but you probably won’t get any more answers. Journaling can be a time where your child has time to think about their day and write or draw about it. If your child is having a hard time coming up with something to draw or write you can use the following prompts…
If your child is in the drawing stage of writing: (If they know their letter sounds, encourage them to begin labeling their pictures)
My friends at school.
My favorite thing to do at recess.
I love to…
I like to…
I want to go to…
My pet(s)
My favorite animal
I want to eat…
I like to go to…
If your child is in the writing stage:
I’ve been meaning to tell you…
My favorite book is…
My favorite subject at school is…
I liked when we …
I like to play… at recess
My friends are…
I love to…
If I could pick what’s for dinner, I would choose…
I had a ____________ day because…
The list is endless! You know your child best. Pick topics that will motivate them to write!
1 comment:
I think this is a really good idea...I am thinking if you start this when your kids are relatively young, say elementary school it will just foster better communication when they get older. My child is still, I think, a little young to do this at 4...but my husband on the other hand...I know this sight is about kids...but what a great idea to do this verbally with your spouse. Just a thought.
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