Do you want to create a keepsake for your child that documents their early life? If so, a kid’s journal is the perfect way to do it! Not only will it be fun for your child to look back on, but it will also help them learn more about themselves. In this blog post, we will discuss some creative ways to keep a kid’s journal and make it an enjoyable experience for both of you!
It is tempting to take this project and do it all yourself. However, in this newsletter, I will share a different method to include your child in the process.
If you start from your child’s infancy, you will choose the format and do a lot of the work yourself for the first couple of years, but it does not take too long before you can get them involved. This is their journal, not yours, so you want to ensure they have a say in what goes into it.
If your child is older, let them choose the format. If they are interested in writing, then you can provide them with a blank note of paper and let them write whatever they want. If they are more visual, consider giving them a sketch page or a camera that prints instantly.
The purpose of this journal is to last for a long time, so you will need to help them glue and organize the materials they create on the page. If your child wrote something illegible, consider copying it in fine print next to their handwritten note.
The hardest part about journaling, especially for a child, is sticking with it. In this exercise, you will manage the journal for them and provide them with help when needed, prompts, and other activities they might enjoy. For example, if they like to draw, then have them illustrate their favorite memories. If they want to write stories, encourage them to document their daily adventures or observations. You can also include photos, mementos, and other keepsakes in their journal to make it even more special.
When my daughter was about six, I gave her a journal to record observations about our dogs. She wanted to be a vet, so I thought it might be an excellent tool for her to learn to think, watch attentively and then write down her thoughts. However, I couldn’t simply hand her a blank notebook. I had to get involved in prompting her and helping outline her observations.
It takes daily encouragement and even a little slyness, creating activities for them they won’t know will go into their journal. You can encourage your child to keep a journal in any number of ways:
- Give them a beautiful or unique notebook that they love. I would then help them glue the pictures into their journal and write down their thoughts.
- If they are creative and handy, let them design their own journal!
- Make it a game instead of a chore. You can print off activities that catch their interest and include them in the journal.
No matter how you choose to keep a kid’s journal, the most important thing is that you make it a fun and enjoyable experience for both of you! By taking the time to document your child’s life, you will create a lasting keepsake that they will cherish for years to come.
Do you have any tips on how to keep a kid’s journal? I would love to hear from you!
