Keeping a journal has been seen as a beneficial pastime for children and adults alike, used as a way of venting, or a way of writing creatively in their spare time. When taught about the benefits of journaling from a young age, children are able to manage their feelings in a better way, allowing them to manage their stress levels and organisation skills, among other advantages.
With this guide from this independent school we take a look at the biggest benefits that journaling has for children.
Table of Contents
Your child learns to keep their thoughts organised
When they’re writing their feelings down, they’re understanding what to do when they’re feeling overwhelmed and how they handled the situation. They might have been very upset and needed time to overcome their struggles, or they wanted to work on how they handled a situation in the past.
Looking back at a child’s memories also helps them remain organised. They’re reflecting on the past and how they can use that to make them feel in control for next time, making them feel more positive about scary situations.
Your child’s able to set their own goals
With writing your thoughts down you have a clearer goal in mind. They’ve had a moment to write down what they’re feeling and how it can help them feel better about themselves. It’s also a great way of having your child set goals that fit their own aims. In turn your child is understanding themselves better and knowing what they need to do to better their own personal achievements.
It boosts a child’s memory
You’re more likely to remember things when they’re written down, and there’s no exception when your child’s taking a moment to write their thoughts and feelings in a book. Not only are they able to look back at a previous moment in time, but they can reflect on their progress as they navigate complex issues at school, relationships and their studies. They’ll be able to look back on what they wrote about in their journal and use it to help them gain more independence and drive to do well.
Your child’s learning to think creatively
Creative writing is a fun and exciting skill to have and it can stem from regular writing in a journal. If your child has a keen interest in English writing and reading in general then they’ll love the prospect of jotting down their thought process. Writing creatively also improves a child’s communication skills, grammar and sentence structure as they continually write and improve their writing style.
It’s beneficial for a child’s mental health
A place where they can write their concerns, gross stories and all sorts of things in a journal really helps with relieving stress. A child is more likely to pick things apart and see where they can improve themselves, while noticing that they’re trying to look after themselves and guide them through difficult times. A lot of children deal with mental health issues at some point in their lives, so encouraging them to keep tabs on their health and where they may need help will give them a better understanding of what they need help with and what they can approach their parents with.
You might also like:
Understanding Your Child’s Curriculum