Give the Gift of Self-Awareness
What greater gift could you give your children than the ability to know and love themselves?
Journaling can reduce anxiety in children and provides a way for them to express themselves when the spoken word may not be sufficient (or safe). By learning to write their feelings and deepest thoughts on paper they are learning to tune into themselves - to get to know who they are, what they think, and the things they value. This decreases frustrations and allows them to think critically and make self-informed decisions before they act - a priceless skill, especially in the teen years. Writing has also been proven to reduce stress and anxiety in young people.
Teaching your children to journal at an early age will set a habit for life. Before they can write you can encourage them to draw their feelings or "tell" their side of a story through pictures. When my children are upset about something and acting out due to frustration I ask them if they would like to "draw about it." The very act of sitting with crayon and scribbling (as hard and with as dark a color as needed) calms them down. I then ask them to explain the picture and many times the reason they were angry, sad, or frustrated will come out or on some occasions the upset has even been forgotten.
For pre-writers this book is an incredible gift: The Daily Doodle by Janet Mentore Lee, Ph.D. For older children who are comfortable writing, any journal or notebook, either with blank, lined or designed pages, can inspire personal writing. Bookstores are a good place to find themed or blank journals. For the artist and non-artist alike, sketch books with designed covers also make lovely personalized gifts. There are also some great journals on the market which include prompts to get your child started on their self-discovery journey (like this one for girls and this one for boys).
Privacy
Please remember this incredibly important rule: Older children and adolescents must know their journal will be kept private! As tempting as it will be to peak at their seemingly mundane entries, it is imperative for your child's emotional health (not to mention to your relationship) that you KEEP OUT! Buying a journal with a lock is a perfect way to ensure your child that you respect his/her privacy.
Give the special child in your life the greatest gift - the key to themselves: A journal and the freedom to write.
** For more in-depth discussion see "Children and Journaling: The Benefits" which also includes a list of the other articles I have written on the subject.
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For more information: To get you started on your journey of self-discovery through the power of writing and self-expression, visit my blog for writing prompts and tips. Private coaching & journaling workshops are also available.
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