Benefits of Journaling for Kids

If you thought journaling is only something teens and adults could do, you’re in for a big 
surprise! While it might look a little different for kids, depending on their age, they can 
benefit a lot by writing in a journal. Here are some of those benefits.


Kids Get to Express Their Feelings in a Safe Environment

Journaling provides a safe, private, non-judgmental space for kids to write about 
anything they want, including what they are thinking or feeling. It is important that as a 
parent, you allow your children’s journals to remain private and only for their eyes, 
unless they ask otherwise.

While your kids probably feel safe talking to you about certain things, they also need a 
place that is all theirs. Where they know they won’t have a voice on the other end 
commenting on it. Kids can really flourish just being given a journal that is private, that 
you promise to never read unless they ask you to. You will be amazed by how much 
less stressed your kids become.


It Can Improve Their Writing and Reading Skills

The more your kids write and read what they write, the more these skills are going to 
improve! Think about all the times your children currently write or read anything. It is 
probably mostly for school and homework, maybe some reading on their devices or 
books they love. But what about writing? Kids very rarely write much aside from school 
work.

Journaling gives them a daily practice where they can improve their writing skills, but in 
a way that ends up being enjoyable for them. They answer fun questions like what their 
favorite animal is and if they could be any tree, what would they be? It doesn’t feel much 
like homework.


Kids Become More Creative

Journals have also been known to help children become more creative. Not just with the 
way they work out what they want to write, but in how they design their different journal 
pages. Kids often excel when they can use color and design on their journal pages.

You might want to try out blank journal pages without lines, so they can treat it like a 
doodle page. Provide crayons, colored pencils, watercolor, stencils, stickers, and 
different types of pens. You will be able to see where your child’s mind goes when they 
are using their journal.


Journaling Helps with Critical Thinking and Communication Skills

Writing in a journal can also help kids of different ages develop more critical thinking 
skills and even improve their communication skills. It takes a little critical thinking to 
answer a question asked in a writing prompt, even one that might seem simple to you. 
This is a wonderful skill for kids of any age to learn through journaling.




