AUGUST BLOG – SCRIBBLING SUCESS : HOW DAILY JOURNALING CAN HELP YOUR CHILD.

                   Scribbling Success: How daily journaling can help your child.

In today’s digital world where screens monopolize children’s attention and keyboards have replaced pens, it can be quite difficult to foster vital writing skills. However this important skill which helps with cognitive development, creativity, concentration and self expression must not be lost in the digital sands of time. 

 This article seeks to explore how daily journaling can enhance one’s writing skills and the many other benefits it will bring to your child . 

In terms of writing skills, daily journaling has many benefits. 

• The first of which is the boost in confidence in their writing ability. Daily practice in a judgment-free zone of their private journal will encourage them to improve their handwriting and spelling without any shame or fear of repercussion. And also gives them the chance to practice in a fun way.

• Secondly, daily journaling would allow your child to increase their vocabulary and memory. The journal allows children to practice and contextualize new vocabulary they hear in their day to day life. The recall activity involved in day to day journaling helps with improving the child’s memory as they recall all the things they did, learnt and felt in the day.

 

• Thirdly it helps with their organizational and critical thinking skills. As the child journals they will need to organize their thoughts on paper in a way that makes sense. Often in their process of reflection as they write, they will analyze their day, their response to various simulations and things they could or would like to have done.

• Fourthly, daily journaling can also help a child with their self expression and self confidence. The journal provides a private space for children to vent and express their thoughts, the process of writing this down however, forces them to be more organized and clearer in the way they express these thoughts so they can write them down in a way that they can understand. This then reflects in their daily communication as they are also able to express themselves more clearly,  are confident in their vocabulary and ability to express themselves. 

• Lastly, daily journaling can help a child with goal setting and achievement. They can write down their goals and track their progress in their journal. By reflecting on their progress and achievements they can be motivated to strive for more progress and have a better sense of accomplishment.

 

We recognize that it can often be hard to get children excited to start journaling however, a few ways to encourage your child to journal include:

1. Providing attractive journals that they would enjoy journaling in.
2. Allow them to draw and doodle as well as use fun colors and mediums that would make journaling a fun activity. 
3. Parents can reward consistency or even make it a daily family activity to ensure consistency.  
4. Lastly you can give creative prompts and encourage different types of journaling such as dream or travel journaling to keep the child interested. 

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