Learning to Journal at Any Age

A CHILD'S FIRST JOURNAL

Often at school, a child will be provided with 10-15 minutes each morning to work on their journal. In the early years of school, this will likely be a picture with a sentence or two written below by an adult. As the child learns to read and write, they gradually begin writing their own captions to their journal pictures.

While the idea of this is excellent, many teachers are the only adults in the classroom. The time needed to write the captions for 25 or more students journals is unreasonable and the opportunity for this type of learrning and self-expression is lost.

I encourage every parent to have a journal for thier children at home. Instead of watching TV after dinner, have your child 'write' about their day. If they need help with writing or spelling, give them the help. Don't make this a chore, but make it a fun experience--don't send them to the dictionary unless you don't know how to spell the word either :)

This activity is best if it can be completed every night, but even if you manage this on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it becomes a treasure that they will take with them always.

EVERYTHING JOURNAL

This type of journal is not a new idea. It actually was all the rage in previous century. As with all things, the Everything Journal is coming back into fashion.

The title really tells it all - anything and everything can be added to this journal. The purpose is to collect a variety of entries that give an overall description of your life.

Ideas: pictures with hand-written captions, reciepts from the store, newspaper clippings, commentary on current events, lists of your favorite (or your least favorite) movies, books, foods...etc. Write in the lyrics to your favorite songs. Tape in birthday, anniversary or condolence cards.

How to: Keep this journal handy. If you put it away, you will forget to write in it. If it's somewhere where you see it everyday, you are more likely to remember to work on it.

And don't stress over adding to it. There will be days when you write a quick note, make a short list, or tape in a reciept. Other days, you might be inspired to write much more.

LETTERS JOURNAL

Like the name suggests, this journal would be a collection of letters written to a specific person. I have a Letters Journal for each of my children. Every now and then, I will pick them up and write a letter to each of them, sharing what has been happening lately in their lives, changes I'm noticing in them, thoughts and prayers about their future, and even little stories about my childhood.

SCRAPBOOKING...SIMPLIFIED

This is my favorite kind of journal. Each winter, my family and I spend 5 days and 4 nights at a lodge. I bring a collection of photos from the previous 12 months, paste them into a journal in chronological order--one per page--and write a little paragraph about each one.

In the past, I've spent entire weekends pasting, writing, and adding stickers to beautiful photo albums and love the final result. Now, I skip the stickers and fancy paper and go for just adding details about the memories. It's less expensive too :)

3 Types of Journaling

27 Journal Prompts

So you want to journal. You know that amazing minds and great thinkers always keep a journal. Perhaps you’ve been encouraged by a therapist to keep a journal, but you don’t know where to start. What do you write in a journal? How often should you journal? How can you find the time to write in a journal?

My advice? Take it one day at a time. Find a journal, a notebook that feels write to you. It can be as simple as a 50-cent spiral notebook or an investment of a $50 leather journal. I like journals that have hard covers, spiral binding and a size that fits in my purse. Put the journal in a place that will help you remember to write in it. Set an alarm on your phone to help you remember to write.

And don’t worry. Journaling is best when it’s daily, but any increase in reflective writing is good. I have journals that I write in periodically and others that I write in once a year. I have my working journal that I use to keep track of my current projects and to-do lists. I even have shopping lists and notes to myself in that journal.

But if you are looking to leave a treasure for your children and grandchildren, the journal takes on a different level. If you are working through some difficult emotions and overcoming addictions, the journal is very private and therapeutic. A lock box feels safe for that, doesn’t it? 😊

Here is the key: Just write. Don’t worry, don’t edit your thoughts. Just write. Hand writing is very different from typing and I highly recommend that you buy a great pen and write. Yes, your hand will cramp, but the language styles and the tone of your reflection will be deeper.

Here are a few journal prompts to get you started. If you generate some of your own ideas, please share!

Make a list of things that make you smile.
Make a list of your happiest days.
Remember a time when you really wanted to just get to the end of the day as quickly as possible. Describe that day and what happened.
What do you miss most about being a child?
What virtues do you hold to be the most important?
What makes you strong? List everything that helps you feel strong and brave.
Describe a place you feel safe. It doesn’t need to be a real place.
The only way we grow is wisdom is from learning from our mistakes. What was a mistake you have made, and what did you learn?
Describe the perfect birthday celebration.
What was your favorite game when you were a kid? Describe it and write down what you loved about it.
Think forward five years. What do you want your life to be like then?
What does great parenting look like to you?
If your vanity mirror could talk, what would it say?
A bit of creative writing – If you have a pet, write from their point of view, a typical day.
What surprised you most about adulthood?
The Aboriginal people of Australia believe that our stories are THE most precious possession. What story from your past might help someone through a difficult time?
Make a list of things that you would like to learn more about.
What makes you feel beautiful or handsome? Describe a moment when you felt absolutely beautiful.
Describe a perfect day.
If money were no object, what would you do differently?
What is your favorite Scripture verse? Where did you first read it or hear it?
Write what will happen from today until your very last day on earth. Plan it. Make it happen.
Find a poem that you love. Write it into your journal.
Make a list of your favorite books. When was the last time you read one of them? Maybe it’s time to pick it up.
Do you have a favorite quote? Take a few minutes to look online for inspirational quotes. Copy the ones that really speak to you into your journal.
Who is your Hero? Why? Have you ever met your hero or is it someone from history?
Describe your first kiss. Describe your most recent kiss.