*This is a collaborative post
Journaling is one of the most important tools a child can be introduced to as it will indirectly help children practise their writing skills and have somewhere private to offload their emotions which is handy for teenagers. Journaling can be used for many things such as recording daily activities, thoughts and feelings. It is important to remember that a journal is not like a diary as it is used to track and explore different topics of interest. As a parent, it would be beneficial to introduce your child to a journal if you find that they struggle with speaking or expressing themselves. Here is some advice on the benefits of journaling for children.
Journaling is a great tool for academic success. The versatility of it means that it can be incorporated into different areas of learning such as maths and science. Many teachers ask their students to keep a journal when they are completing different topics in class. If your child is struggling in a certain area of their studies, a journal may help them track their work and pinpoint what they need to improve on. It is also a great way to look at their development overtime and can lead to a sense of confidence and achievement.
Keeping a journal about day-to-day life and feelings can be a great outlet for those who struggle to talk to others and express their feelings. For those who struggle to involve others when it comes to making decisions, it can be a great way to organise and process emotions.
It improves written communication as well as spelling and grammar. The more your child writes, the more that their skills will improve. They will begin to understand how to rephrase statements and gain the ability to convey thoughts correctly. This also applies to the spelling and grammar as it will improve overtime.
Try and encourage your child to start journaling as soon as possible. It doesn't have to be an educational one, it can be about anything that interests them. Give them full freedom to decide what they write about and allow them to keep it private if they want to.
