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5 Tips to Get Your Kids Journaling

July 3, 2014 by Janice

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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This post is written and photographed by Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom, and is sponsored by the fabulous folks at Minted.

tips-kids-journal-minted

Learning to write well and communicate effectively is critical for our children’s success in life. Tell your kids that and they will be about as excited to start journaling as they would be to learn which leafy vegetables contain the most vitamins and fiber.

BUT, engage your kids’ creativity, imagination, and curiosity, and they might just get hooked on journaling for good.

When I was a kid, my most treasured “toys” were little notebooks and matching pencils. I had branded sets, like Snoopy and Holly Hobbie, and generic designs, like strawberry patches or flower wreaths. I hoarded collected them as fast as I could fill them up with drawings, doodles, and notes.

As a preteen and teenager, I began journaling regularly and rarely went a night without writing in my journal.

Now, as a mom, I still love notebooks and I always keep my kids stocked up on notebooks, notepads, and plenty of pens and pencils. There is something so inviting about a brand new notebook. (Unfortunately, as grown ups, we usually fill up our notebooks with To Do lists not journal entries!)

My six year old daughter Olivia loves to write, draw, and doodle. She begs for new notebooks and notepads as much as I did at her age. She seems to constantly be drawing or writing, peppering me with questions, “Mom, how do you spell…?”

As Olivia gets older, I want to ensure that her early jottings develop into a regular journaling habit that allows her to grow her creativity while encouraging her to reflect on her own thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

But as technology speeds up life and makes “alone time” even more scarce, how can we help kids to turn off social media, stop texting, and instead pick up a pen and start journaling?

5 Tips to Get Your Kids Journaling

1. Provide your kids with inspiring journals, notebooks, or diaries

A new journal or special notebook can stir up enthusiasm for a young writer — or an old one!

A journal is something to treasure and so I am in love with these journals from Minted. You or your child can personalize a notebook with your own photos, images, and text.

You can choose from hundreds of designs that are created exclusively for Minted by their community of independent designers and then customize them to match your child perfectly.

I made these two designs for my children:

personalized-minted-kids-journal

personalized-minted-kids-journal

2. Let them “stay up late”

Setting aside time for journaling will help kids establish a routine of writing. Days disappear so quickly, and so evening can be the natural time to have kids quiet down and reflect on their day.

Summertime is a great opportunity to get kids in the habit of writing before bed — and you can entice them by giving extra time before lights out. (If you don’t want to push their bed time later, try encouraging a quiet time for writing in their rooms before bedtime.)

3.Help them with writing prompts

Okay — one, two, three — be creative!!! Ya. That doesn’t always work.

Thinking of something to write about can be tricky for everyone. But you can help spark your kids’ imaginations – and memories – with some simple writing prompts.

how-to-get-kids-to-journal

You can ask them a leading question, write some prompts down for them to choose from, or even fill a jar with prompts you have compiled and get them to pick a new topic each day.

Prompts can be questions such as:

  • What do you like about yourself?
  • What makes you laugh out loud?
  • What was your favorite day at school?
  • If you could fly, where would you go and why?
  • If you could talk one “animal language,” which would it be and why?
  • Who is your hero and why?

4. Encourage all forms of creativity and journaling

Journaling doesn’t have to be just about recording your day or your thoughts.

We want our kids to journal so that they can have a regular time and place to slow down and process what is going on in their minds, their hearts, and their worlds.

minted-journal-customized

Encourage your kids to express themselves in different forms — from drawings, to stories, to diaries, etc.

They may even wish to create different kinds of journals and have books dedicated to different areas, such as a sketch book, a collection of quotes, a daily journal, or even a scrapbook or “swipe file” of things that inspire them.

5. Read your children entries from your own journals

The downside to blogging is that I have stopped writing in my daily journals. I am so frustrated with myself for letting this lifelong habit of mine disappear. Yes, I have hundreds of blog entries recording the last eight years of my life, but I don’t have the hand written notebooks filled with reflections meant only for me and my children.

When my son was six years old and his baby sister had entered the scene, I used to curl up at night with him and read to him from the journal I kept when he was a baby.

We both loved this special time together where we could revisit my days as a first time, terrified-but-madly-in-love, young mom.

I don’t have the same journals for Olivia. I was so exhausted as a working mom of two, that by the time I got them both to sleep, I collapsed in bed. As much as I wanted to write a journal just for her, I just didn’t make it happen. Fortunately, I do have blog posts and lots of photos and videos to share with her.

Reading journals you kept when your kids were babies or toddlers – or even journals or diary entries you wrote when you were young – can be both an inspiration for them as new writers and a wonderful opportunity for your kids to get a deeper look inside you.

Minted has so many incredible offerings — if you would like a $100 gift certificate to Minted.com, here is your chance… Leave us a comment telling us which Minted product is your favorite.

Follow Minted @minted, facebook.com/minted, and pinterest.com/minted

Entry-Form

 

 
This post is written and photographed by Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom and owner of Janice Croze Photography, and is brought to you by the fabulous folks at Minted. As always, our opinions are 100% our own. And yes, we LOVE Minted!

More Creative Activities For Kids

Here are more ideas to inspire your kids creativity…

  • Easy Rock Painting Ideas
  • DIY Journal
  • Kinetic Sand
  • Spray Chalk
  • Classical Music for Kids

 

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A Bride and Her Daughter
Happy 4th of July – Link Up Your #July4th Photos and Recipes

About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. She's been working online since 2003 and is thankful her days are full of social media, writing and photography.

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79 Comments

  1. Mandy says

    July 17, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Love the calendars!

    Reply
  2. courtney hennagir says

    July 17, 2014 at 2:57 pm

    I love the cafe grand calendar! I have got to make one!

    Reply
  3. Heather R says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    I got my wedding invitations from minted, and absolutely everyone loves them and is remarking on how beautiful they are. some have even remarked on the great quality – and of course the soon to be bride and groom are thrilled, too!!

    Reply
  4. Andrea Amy says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    I love their journals. I have one and its my favourite 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kimberly says

    July 17, 2014 at 10:34 am

    I like the Oh Boy bunting. It would be cute at a baby shower and then in the nursery.

    Reply
  6. Pam says

    July 17, 2014 at 10:18 am

    I love the chalkboard day planner. http://www.minted.com/product/notebooks/MIN-91U-NBK/chalkboard-dreams?org=photo

    Reply
  7. LynneMarie says

    July 17, 2014 at 9:56 am

    I like the Flora Number One art print.

    Reply
  8. kathy dalton says

    July 17, 2014 at 9:50 am

    i love the Striped Lines Day Planner, Notebook, or Address Book

    Reply
  9. Brenda Penton says

    July 17, 2014 at 8:45 am

    I like the crosshatch mod day planner, notebook, or address book

    Reply
  10. debbie says

    July 17, 2014 at 8:10 am

    I love their photo cards. The spirit of Christmas card is my favorite.

    Reply
  11. Rachel Cotton says

    July 17, 2014 at 4:28 am

    The Super cute Baby announcement cards are my favorite product! I cant wait to send mine out in december!

    Reply
  12. Crystal Rose says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    I like the melon stripe washi tape.

    Reply
  13. Sarah L says

    July 16, 2014 at 3:27 am

    I’d like some business cards from them.
    Thanks for the contest.

    Reply
  14. Patricia says

    July 15, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    floral chalkboard wedding invitations

    Reply
  15. kelly r says

    July 15, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    I really like the kids’ stationary.

    Reply
  16. wen budro says

    July 15, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    My favorite is the A Year in My Life Day Planner, Notebook, or Address Book. I def need all three to be organized.

    Reply
  17. meagan bs says

    July 14, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    i love the stationary, i’ve been wanting some.

    Reply
  18. K. Finn says

    July 14, 2014 at 3:16 am

    I like The Little Mister print.

    Reply
  19. Rebecca Parsons says

    July 14, 2014 at 1:10 am

    Oh my goodness the childrens prints are adorable, I love the In the Room II.

    Reply
  20. Shannon Leigh says

    July 13, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    I like the planners and business cards!!

    Reply
  21. stacie says

    July 13, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    I really like the calendars

    Reply
  22. Nancy says

    July 13, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    I like this one: color tiles day planner, notebook, or address book.

    Reply
  23. brooke t says

    July 13, 2014 at 7:39 am

    Big One Children’s Birthday Party Invitations

    Reply
  24. Kristen says

    July 12, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    I like the New Arrows Moving Announcements.

    Reply
  25. Helga says

    July 12, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    I like the Cheers Christmas photo card.

    Reply
  26. D Schmidt says

    July 12, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Visited the site and my favorite item is Gracious Golden Gate Bridge
    by Phrosné Ras art print.

    Reply
  27. Tiffany Q. says

    July 12, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    I really like the French striped thank you cards!

    Reply
  28. Tiffany Q. says

    July 12, 2014 at 6:51 pm

    I really like the French striped thank you cards.

    Reply
  29. Nicki Joseph says

    July 12, 2014 at 12:05 am

    The nursery art is fabulous. Very cute prints.

    Reply
  30. Nannypanpan says

    July 11, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    Like the onederful elephant birthday party invites

    Reply
  31. Sonya Morris says

    July 11, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    I love the The Big Picture Day Planner, Notebook, or Address Book.

    Reply
  32. Jeanna says

    July 11, 2014 at 9:17 am

    I really like the photo stationery! The Sweetheart by Hand Children’s Personalized Stationery is my favorite!

    Reply
  33. Denise Konkel says

    July 11, 2014 at 3:40 am

    I like the fairytale beginnings birth announcement.

    Reply
  34. Bailey Dexter says

    July 10, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    I really like the notebooks, there is something to be said about looking back and seeing your handwritten words years later!

    Reply
  35. Grace says

    July 10, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    I love Minted- they have such tasteful products!

    Reply
  36. jodi says

    July 10, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    I like the tandem wedding invitations!

    Reply
  37. Anel says

    July 10, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    The first thing that I noticed was the Bold Leaves paint art. It is beyond adorable! The birth announcements are super cute, too! Thank you!

    Reply
  38. andrea v says

    July 10, 2014 at 11:52 am

    I love the invitations

    Reply
  39. Petula says

    July 10, 2014 at 7:48 am

    I’ve always liked Minted journals and cards, but right now I’m loving the foil printed stationary. Great review.

    Reply
  40. Petula says

    July 10, 2014 at 7:47 am

    I’ve always liked Minted journals and cards, but right now I’m loving the foil printed stationary.

    Reply
  41. Nancy Loring says

    July 10, 2014 at 5:52 am

    I like the all day planner. The older I get the more I forget and this would help me keep everything in order.

    Reply
  42. Staci A says

    July 9, 2014 at 8:31 pm

    I love the Roar dino invitations!

    Reply
  43. liz says

    July 9, 2014 at 11:38 am

    http://www.minted.com/product/birth-announcements/MIN-AL7-BYA/big-baby-name?org=photo

    this baby announcement

    Reply
  44. Angela Saver says

    July 8, 2014 at 10:42 pm

    My favorite is the Grainfield foil-pressed personalized stationery!

    [email protected]

    Reply
  45. Taryn says

    July 8, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    Since I’ll be graduating with my B.S. in December, I’m particularly attracted to the graduation announcements, but everything on their site is adorable…

    Reply
  46. rachel says

    July 8, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    I love their art prints, especially the modern art ones.

    Reply
  47. amanda hardesty says

    July 8, 2014 at 3:27 am

    I like the framed nursery prints

    Reply
  48. Emily says

    July 8, 2014 at 1:11 am

    Love their calendars and day planners.

    Reply
  49. Marissa Lynette says

    July 7, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    They have some pretty cool business card options

    Reply
  50. Leigh Anne Borders says

    July 7, 2014 at 11:25 pm

    I love the day planners. There alot of great items there!

    Reply
  51. Carol says

    July 7, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    I like the melon all day planner.

    Reply
  52. Jasmine R says

    July 7, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    I like the kids journals! 🙂

    Reply
  53. Hanna says

    July 7, 2014 at 10:13 am

    Literally everything on Minted is adorable!! I have always liked the art print with the rainbow hearts. We get our holiday cards from there every year!

    Reply
  54. vickie couturier says

    July 7, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Penguin
    by Betty Hatchett
    art print

    Reply
  55. Kenny Hall says

    July 7, 2014 at 3:10 am

    I like the stationary and thank you cards. They have some cute art prints too- I like the pirate ship kid’s framed print.

    Reply
  56. Cheryl says

    July 7, 2014 at 2:58 am

    My soon is a beginning reader/writer. He has a couple of drawing notebooks and we recently talked about him starting a journal. Thanks for the tips. I particularly like encouraging him to journal as a way to wind down at bed time. Thanks so much for introducing me to Minted.com too. I love the notebooks and photo backdrops!

    Reply
  57. Jennifer says

    July 6, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    I really like the personal photo notebooks for journaling

    Reply
  58. Kathy stevenson says

    July 6, 2014 at 11:08 pm

    I like the melon all day planner.

    Reply
  59. Dianne Hall says

    July 6, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    Love the Garland Celebration Children’s Birthday Party Thank You Cards.

    Reply
  60. Patricia Wojnar Crowley says

    July 6, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    I love the chalkboard dreams day planner, notebook, and address book!

    Reply
  61. Wehaf says

    July 6, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    I love the foil-pressed stationery!

    Reply
  62. Melanie F says

    July 6, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    OMGoodness, I’ve been a fan of their cards forever, but LOOOVE their party decor!!

    Reply
  63. Susan DeVaux says

    July 6, 2014 at 12:10 am

    I love the simple balloon kid’s birthday invites 🙂

    Reply
  64. heather says

    July 5, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    I really like the calendars.

    Reply
  65. Noreen says

    July 5, 2014 at 2:17 am

    I like the celebrate my favorite day

    Reply
  66. Terra Heck says

    July 4, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    My favorite is the striped lines day planner, notebook, or address book. Thanks.
    partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply
  67. Heather B says

    July 4, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    I really like the Alphabet in Motion Wall Art. Would look cute in my youngest son’s room

    Reply
  68. Liz says

    July 4, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    I love so many things – but I really love the letterpress and also the foil wedding invitations!

    Reply
  69. Karen says

    July 4, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    I love the notebooks and often give them as holiday gifts!

    Reply
  70. anne says

    July 4, 2014 at 11:45 am

    I like the Stationery and journal sets very much. So ideal.

    Reply
  71. latanya says

    July 4, 2014 at 9:15 am

    I like the Cherry Red 18″ Petal Tissue Fans

    Reply
  72. Leigh D says

    July 4, 2014 at 2:06 am

    I’d love new business cards and a planner.

    Reply
  73. Leigh D says

    July 4, 2014 at 2:06 am

    I always love notebooks but I’d love new business cards and a planner.

    Reply
  74. Leigh D says

    July 4, 2014 at 2:05 am

    I always love notebooks but I’d love new business cards and a planner

    Reply
  75. Meredith says

    July 4, 2014 at 12:16 am

    i love the calendars

    Reply
  76. Meredith says

    July 3, 2014 at 11:49 pm

    I like the floral chalkboard wedding invitations. Love that they have all the matching accessories like direction cards and Rsvp’s as well

    Reply
  77. Meredith says

    July 3, 2014 at 11:49 pm

    I like the floral chalkboard wedding invitations

    Reply
  78. Sabrina (Bellisima Baby Bags) says

    July 3, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    I like the Mommy Calling cards. They are really a great idea to have especially when you have little ones who don’t want you to take the time to pass on your info because they have to “go tinkle.” Just hand out your Mommy card and really mean, “Call me!” as you’re being pulled away.

    Reply
  79. Angie says

    July 3, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    Love the destination Day Planners! Can’t choose just one but I do like the Around the World one.

    Reply

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