Giving your child a journal is much more than just a gift. It's offering them a secret garden, a space all their own where they can sow their joys, their fears, and even their biggest dreams. To ensure this adventure is a success, it's important to find the type of journal that suits them best, because each journal is a unique gateway to their inner world.
Why keeping a journal is a great idea for your child
Far from being a simple pastime, keeping a journal is a wonderful tool to help your child navigate the vast ocean of their emotions. It's a kind of conversation with themselves, perfectly suited to 6- to 12-year-olds, a crucial period when they are building their identity and developing their self-confidence.
This simple habit can truly work wonders: it helps develop emotional intelligence, boosts creativity, and strengthens self-esteem. By putting words or drawings to their feelings, your child learns to know themselves better and face life's challenges, both big and small, with greater calm and serenity.
A unique and judgment-free space for expression
The golden rule of a diary? It's a private space where absolutely anything goes. There are no right or wrong answers, unlike with schoolwork. This complete freedom is essential for your child to feel perfectly safe and confident enough to share their most secret thoughts, thus fostering their personal development.
The idea of sharing one's thoughts on paper is not new. In fact, the very first French daily newspaper, the Journal de Paris , was founded in 1777. It already had this ambition to tell stories that went beyond official circles, a bit like your child telling their story, page after page. To learn more, you can consult the history of the print media in France .
Keeping a journal is like talking to your best friend, the one who listens without ever judging and who keeps all your secrets. It's a precious gift for building a healthy relationship with yourself.
By exploring the different types of journals, you'll undoubtedly find one that perfectly reflects your child's personality. This practice can then become a true little ritual, a positive and enriching moment for them, and perhaps even for the whole family. Whether through words, drawing, or collage, each page turned is another step towards self-discovery.
The gratitude journal, or how to cultivate daily happiness
If there's one journal that's easy to start and has incredible effects on well-being, it's the gratitude journal. The principle is child's play: each day, you take a little time to write down a few things, big or small, for which you feel grateful.
It's a bit like teaching your child to find the silver lining, even when the sky is a little gray. By doing this regularly, you train their brain to focus on the positive. It's an excellent way to strengthen their resilience in the face of life's little problems and to develop a more optimistic outlook.
How to make it a soothing family ritual
The secret is to keep it a pleasure, never a chore. Why not make it a little family ritual before bedtime? The important thing isn't to write pages and pages, but to take the time to savor the good moments.
Instead of asking a vague question like "What did you enjoy today?", which can sometimes seem intimidating, try a gentler, more concrete approach. For example: "What was your favorite moment of the day?" or "Tell me about something that made you smile."
A gratitude journal isn't a to-do list, but rather a collection of small joys. It shows your child that happiness is often found in the simplest details.
In this way, this exercise transforms into a friendly discussion, a real moment of sharing that strengthens your family bonds.
An approach tailored to each age
Every child is different, and it's super important to adapt the idea of the journal to their pace and desires.
- For younger children (6-8 years old) : At this age, drawing is often the best form of communication. Encourage them to doodle what made them happy: a great hug, a game with a friend, a delicious dessert. Words will come later; the important thing is to leave a trace of the positive emotion.
- For older children (9-12 years old) : They are starting to master writing. You can suggest they write down three positive things that happened to them during the day. It can be very short: "I passed my test," "The weather was nice at recess," or "I had a good laugh with Grandma on the phone."
Little by little, this simple habit helps your child build a more optimistic outlook on life. By rereading their journal from time to time, they will realize how many wonderful things their everyday life is filled with. It's a fantastic tool for developing their confidence and teaching them to savor the present moment.
The bullet journal: a fun way to organize your ideas.
The bullet journal, or "bujo" for short, may seem complex at first glance. Yet, it's a fantastic creative toolkit for your child. Imagine a notebook that can be transformed at will: one day it's a planner, the next a sketchbook, or even a record of their favorite books.
This type of journal is great for learning to get organized while developing creativity. Everyday tasks become a game! Bullet journaling isn't a rigid system; it's a space where structure and imagination meet. Your child has the power to create their own system, one that reflects their personality.
How to get started smoothly
The greatest advantage of the bullet journal is its flexibility. There's no need to create overly complex pages. A few simple ideas are enough for your child to make it their own and develop their independence.
Here are a few easy pages to create together to get started:
- Habit tracking: Draw a small grid with squares to color in each day. For example, to read for 15 minutes or tidy your room. It's a great, very visual way to see your progress and feel proud.
- The birthdays page: A simple list or a colorful drawing so you never forget the birthdays of friends and family again.
- The mood journal: Your child can draw a little smiley face or choose a color to represent their mood of the day. It's a perfect way to help them put words to their emotions.
The goal of a bullet journal is not to be perfect, but to express oneself. It's a tool that grows with your child, reflecting their passions and helping them clarify their ideas, while letting their imagination soar.
By showing him these simple tools, you help him develop valuable skills such as project planning and tracking, all without any pressure.
Creativity above all!
To get started, you don't need much: a notebook and some felt-tip pens or colored pencils. The most important thing is to encourage your child to have fun with the pages, to draw, to stick stickers, and above all, not to be afraid of making mistakes.
Remind him that there's no right or wrong way to do things. It's his own private space, a place to test ideas and see what works for him. By emphasizing the joy of creating rather than the final result, you nurture his self-confidence and his ability to find solutions. It's a wonderful way to combine enjoyment and personal growth.
A creative journal to unleash your imagination
Some children are like little sponges for emotions. They feel a lot, but sometimes struggle to put it into words. That's where creative journaling comes in! It's a space for play without rules or constraints, a true playground for expression where anything goes, allowing you to let your heart speak.
Imagine a notebook that becomes a blank canvas. You can draw on it, paste pictures, paint, or simply doodle. It's the perfect tool for a child who needs to let off steam, explore their feelings more visually, and give form to their rich inner world.
How can we help him get started?
The most important thing about this journal isn't the final result, but the joy of creating. The idea is to encourage exploration and confidence in one's own ideas, even the most outlandish ones. Your role is simply to encourage them, without ever judging what they draw or write.
A blank page can sometimes be a little daunting. To help you get started, here are a few ideas, sort of like "creative challenges":
- Exploring your fears: "Draw the monster that lives under your bed. But this time, give it a big smile and color it with your favorite colors so it looks really funny!"
- Boost your imagination: "Imagine a secret door at the bottom of the garden. Draw it, then open it and draw the magical world hidden behind it."
- To express an emotion through color: "Fill an entire page with the color that represents your anger today. How does it feel to let it out on paper?"
Creative journaling is an extraordinary safety valve. It teaches your child that all their emotions are legitimate and that there are a thousand ways to express them, far beyond words.
Putting one's thoughts down on paper is a practice that has stood the test of time. In France, the evolution of the regional daily press is a good example. Did you know that the number of regional dailies went from just 4 in 1812 to 242 in 1914, with a total circulation of 4 million copies? If this topic interests you, you can learn more about the evolution of the press in France .
Simple ideas to fuel your creativity
A creative journal can take any form imaginable, and that's what's so great about it. The secret is to vary the activities so your child never gets bored.
For example, you could suggest that he create:
- His dream treasure map: A page where he can draw or stick pictures of anything he would like to do, learn or become later.
- The weather of his emotions: A bright sun when he is happy, a cloud when he is sad, a storm for anger… A simple way to visualize his mood of the day.
- A "memory box" page: A slightly crazy collage with cinema tickets, leaves collected in the park, candy wrappers or holiday photos.
By giving her this space for freedom, you're providing her with a fantastic tool to get to know herself better, manage her stress, and develop a boundless imagination. It's a wonderful way to show her that her creativity is a real strength.
What type of journal is really right for your child?
So, between a gratitude journal, a bullet journal, and a creative notebook, which one is right for your child? That's the big question! Every child is unique, with their own personality, passions, and way of seeing the world. The goal isn't to impose a homework assignment, but to offer them a companion they'll truly want to use.
Choosing the right journal is like giving them the key that unlocks their inner sanctum. Is it a budding artist dreaming of blank pages? Or a natural organizer who would love to plan their projects? Perhaps they just need a little nudge to notice the beautiful moments in everyday life.
Finding the perfect newspaper for your personality
To help you see things more clearly, observe him. It's the best way to make a choice that truly suits him.
- How does he express himself most easily? With words, drawings, or by meticulously organizing his toys?
- What does he need right now? A space for his emotions, a tool to get organized, or a place to let his imagination run wild?
- Does he prefer freedom or structure? Does he like to create without any rules or follow clear instructions?
The goal isn't to find the perfect journal on the first try. The idea is to experiment! The best journal will be the one that grows and evolves with you, according to your desires and needs.
This tailored approach is key. It's a bit like with major newspapers. Daily newspapers, for example, offer very different titles such as Le Monde for general news, L'Équipe for sports fans, and Les Échos for business. Each targets a different reader. It's exactly the same principle for your child's newspaper! To learn more about this topic, you can explore the diversity of the press in France on this page .
To help you make this choice, here is a short summary table. It is designed to help you match your child's temperament with the type of newspaper they might enjoy most.
Which newspaper for which personality?
| Newspaper type | Ideal for the child who... | Main benefit | Starter advice for parents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratitude Journal | Needs to see the positive, sometimes a little anxious or shy. | Develops optimism and self-confidence. | Suggest that he write or draw 3 things he is happy about each night before going to sleep. |
| Bullet Journal | Likes to organize, plan, make lists and feel in control of her activities. | Promotes organization, time management and autonomy. | Start with a simple list of things to do for the weekend, with small checkboxes. |
| Creative journal | He is an artist at heart, loves to draw, paste, and needs to express his emotions. | Stimulates imagination, creativity and emotional release. | Give him a notebook, markers, stickers and just one instruction: "Have fun!" |
| Travel journal | He often goes away for weekends or holidays and likes to keep memories of his adventures. | Helps to memorize experiences, develops the sense of observation. | Suggest that he stick a ticket, draw a landscape, or write an anecdote about his day trip. |
This chart is simply a starting point. Feel free to mix and match genres or let your child invent their own rules. The important thing is that this journal becomes their space of freedom.
This simple decision tree can also help you visualize what type of online newspaper might be suitable, based on criteria such as budget and theme.
This visual clearly shows that the choice of support depends primarily on what you are looking for: a simple and free solution or a more specialized option.
How to make journaling a pleasant family ritual?
For a new habit to take root, especially in a child, it needs to be associated with pleasure, not a chore. The idea isn't to add another task to their day, but to create a moment of sharing and calm. By transforming journaling into a family ritual, your child will truly embrace this wonderful tool.
The secret is to gently integrate this practice into your daily routine. Choose the right time, when the house is quiet. The evening before bed is often ideal for unwinding after a long day, or during the weekend for a creative activity with the family.
Create a little haven for inspiration
The environment in which we write has a real impact. There's no need to rearrange everything, but a small dedicated space can do wonders to stimulate the desire to write or draw.
Here are some ideas for creating an inviting journaling space:
- Gather their favorite supplies: A pretty box with their favorite pens, colored pencils, stickers... the more fun, the better!
- Choose a comfortable place: A corner of the sofa with cushions, a tidy desk, or even a small tent in one's room can become true bubbles of creativity.
But the most powerful tool is still your own example. By keeping a journal alongside them, you show them that this activity is valuable and enjoyable, even for adults. This shared moment then becomes a unique source of connection.
Seeing a parent take time to write or draw is a far more powerful invitation than any explanation. Journaling becomes a family activity, a moment of quiet connection where everyone explores their inner world.
And if the dreaded writer's block rears its ugly head, don't panic! Suggest a "journaling session for two." Choose a shared theme, like "our favorite moment of the weekend" or "if we had superpowers." Each of you explores it in your own way, and then you can share your creations if you feel like it. It's a great way to strengthen communication and bonds, all while having fun.
Your questions about the children's newspaper
The idea of a journal for your child appeals to you, but you still have some practical questions? That's perfectly normal! Embarking on this adventure is a great thing, but a few guidelines can help make the experience enjoyable and simple, for both of you.
This short FAQ is here to give you clear answers and help you get started smoothly.
At what age can a child start keeping a diary?
There's really no ideal age! From 5 or 6 years old , a child can already have their own notebook. At this age, they'll mainly express themselves through drawing, collages, or colors to convey their emotions, and that's perfectly fine. Writing isn't at all mandatory.
Later, around age 7 or 8 , he might start scribbling a few words, then short sentences to accompany his creations. The most important thing is to offer him a type of journal that corresponds to what he knows and enjoys doing, without it ever feeling like schoolwork.
Should I read my child's diary?
Trust is the foundation of everything. The journal should be his secret garden, a place where he feels completely free to express himself unfiltered and without fear of being judged.
It's essential to promise him that you'll respect his privacy. Never read his journal unless he explicitly invites you to. If he decides to share something with you, listen to him with kindness, without interrupting or criticizing him.
It is this respect that will build his confidence and encourage him to open up, thus strengthening your bond.
What should I do if my child no longer wants to keep their diary?
Sometimes motivation dips a little, and that's perfectly fine. The most important thing is never to force it, because journaling should absolutely remain a pleasure.
If this happens, try to understand what's holding them back without putting pressure on them. Are they lacking ideas? Are they bored with the format? You can suggest a new approach: try collage instead of writing, offer them new stickers, or simply take a break. The key is to listen and follow their pace.
The My Book Story journal was designed specifically to guide your child through this wonderful discovery. With its varied activities and more open-ended pages, it offers a reassuring framework to boost self-confidence and creativity, week after week. Discover how to transform journaling into an exciting adventure with the My Book Story journal .