There are a variety of notebooks for children. You can find everything from gratitude journals that encourage you to look on the bright side, to creative notebooks that emphasize drawing. The idea is to find the format that perfectly suits your child's personality, so that writing becomes a fun and unique adventure.
Why Diary Keeping Is a Great Adventure
Much more than just a notebook, a diary is a refuge, a safe place where your child can explore their emotions and let their creativity flow. For children aged 6 to 12 , this simple tool is often a first step in learning about themselves. It's a true playground for their inner world.
Keeping a journal isn't just a writing activity. It's a small ritual that helps build self-confidence. By putting words to sometimes vague or complicated feelings, children learn to identify and name what they feel. Introspection then becomes a truly fun personal exploration.
A great tool for emotional intelligence
A journal is one of the best tools for developing what's called emotional intelligence. It provides a private, judgment-free space where a child can be completely themselves. It's where they can celebrate their small victories, share their sorrows, or simply let their imagination run wild.
As a parent, encouraging this habit is a bit like giving a precious gift:
- A space to say it all: The journal allows you to get out thoughts that are not always easy to share out loud.
- One way to better manage stress: Writing down your worries can really help reduce anxiety and give you some perspective.
- A creativity booster: Whether with words, drawings or collages, the journal stimulates the imagination without any rules.
This idea of a personal space for self-expression is not new. Moreover, the concept of a "newspaper" has always evolved to meet specific needs. In France, as early as the 18th century, thematic newspapers such as the Journal des Dames ( 1759 ) were already appearing, which clearly shows that writing has always served to create spaces for specific audiences. To learn more about the history of the written press, you can take a look at this page .
Understanding all these benefits is the first step before choosing the type of journal that will best accompany your child on their journey.
Finding the right journal for your child is a bit like finding the right book or game: there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to find the format that fits their personality and current interests. Some children love to line up words, while others express themselves better with colors, drawings, or lists.
The goal is simple: make this notebook a space for freedom, not another constraint resembling homework. By exploring options with your child, you show them that their opinion matters. This is the best way to transform this simple notebook into a true confidant.
This image perfectly captures the essence of the diary, the starting point for all the variations we will discover together.
Whatever its form, we can see that the journal remains a cocoon, a safe place to deposit one's thoughts and emotions.
1. The gratitude journal: to see life through rose-tinted glasses
A gratitude journal is often the easiest way to start, especially with younger children. The idea? Each day, the child writes down one or more things for which they feel grateful. It could be a great playtime, a hug, a snack, or a friend's smile.
This simple exercise helps him cultivate a positive outlook on the world. Instead of dwelling on small frustrations, he learns to spot the nuggets of happiness in his daily life. It's an incredibly powerful tool for developing optimism and resilience .
Advice for parents:
Make it a bedtime ritual. Before going to sleep, ask them, "What was the best part of your day?" You can also create a family "happy jar" where everyone can leave a little note. Regularity is more important than quantity.
2. The creative journal: to express yourself without words
Is your child not a big fan of writing but their imagination is overflowing? A creative journal, or art journal , is made for them. There are no rules here. You can draw, stick, paint, doodle, use stickers... Anything goes!
This type of journaling is a fantastic outlet for emotions that are sometimes difficult to put into words. A child can draw their anger in red and black, or their joy in vibrant colors. It's a very healthy way to navigate the great ocean of their feelings.
Advice for parents:
Offer simple creative prompts: "What if you drew a picture of your day, but just with colors?" or "What does your anger look like? Give it shape and color." The important thing is not the result, but the expression.
3. The mood journal: to better understand your emotions
Also known as a mood tracker , a mood journal is a great visual tool to help children identify and track their emotions. The idea is simple: each day, the child colors a box with a color that represents their main mood.
By looking at the results over a month, your child (and you too!) may start to see patterns emerging. This is a perfect gateway to a friendly discussion: "I see there have been a lot of 'cloudy' days this month, do you want to talk about it?"
Examples to try:
- Inner Weather: Associate each mood with a weather symbol: a sun for joy, a cloud for sadness, a storm for anger...
- The mood wheel: A circle divided into 30 or 31 parts, to be colored each day to visualize the passing month.
4. The bullet journal (simplified version): for little organizers
The bullet journal (or bujo ) can be a little scary with its complex layouts, but its simplified version is a gem for children who love order and lists. It's about creating your own system for tracking projects, desires, or small missions.
No need to complicate things. For a child, a bujo can simply contain:
- The list of books he wants to read.
- A little calendar to remember to water your plant.
- A page to write down your birthday gift ideas.
This format encourages autonomy and accountability in a super fun way. It helps children visualize their goals and enjoy the satisfaction of checking off a box. It's a great introduction to organization, a skill that will serve them throughout their lives.
To help you see things more clearly, here's a quick summary table. It will help you identify at a glance which newspaper might be best for your child.
Quick Comparison of Children's Newspaper Types
| Type of Journal | Ideal for... | Main Benefit | Advice for parents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gratitude | Children of all ages, especially for beginners. | Develops optimism and positivity. | Make an evening ritual, ask specific questions about the joys of the day. |
| Creative | Artistic souls, children who have difficulty with words. | Releases emotions and stimulates imagination. | Encourage expression without judgment, provide a variety of materials (felt pens, collages, etc.). |
| Mood | Children who need help identifying their emotions. | Helps with awareness and emotional regulation. | Use the tracker as a starting point for a friendly discussion. |
| Bullet Journal | Kids who love to organize, plan, and make lists. | Encourages autonomy and a sense of responsibility. | Help create simple and fun lists (books to read, films to watch). |
Keep in mind that these are just suggestions. The most important thing is that the experience is positive and fun for your child. Feel free to mix genres and adapt the format over time.
The gratitude journal, to cultivate happiness
Of all the journal types, the gratitude journal is often the simplest and most powerful to start with, especially for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Think of it as a daily treasure hunt: instead of looking for gold, we go looking for the little joys of everyday life.
The principle is disarmingly simple. Every day, your child takes a few minutes to write down (or draw!) one or more things for which they are grateful. It could be the taste of chocolate ice cream, a hug from mom or dad, a surprise ray of sunshine, or a laugh with a friend. This small, seemingly insignificant ritual completely changes their way of seeing the world.
With this habit, he trains his "optimism muscle." Rather than getting stuck on the small frustration of the moment, he learns to spot and appreciate all the positive moments, even the most fleeting ones.
How to make gratitude a family ritual?
One of the biggest benefits of gratitude journaling is how easily it can be incorporated into your evening routine. It's the perfect opportunity to create some truly precious family time together.
Here are some ideas to make it a fun habit:
- Ask the right questions: Instead of a vague, "So, how was your day?" try more specific questions. For example, "What's the prettiest thing you saw today?" or "Who made you smile today?"
- Vary the pleasures: If writing is a chore for your child, no problem! Suggest drawing, collages, or using stickers. The important thing is expression, not perfect dictation.
- Set an example: Share your little treasure of the day. Your child will see that gratitude is a value that matters to the whole family.
- The happiness jar: Every evening, everyone writes down their little happiness on a piece of paper and slips it into a jar. At the end of the week or month, you all review them together. It's a great time!
This daily ritual is a bit like the local newspaper that connects a town. In France, regional newspapers have always played a vital role in connecting people by telling the stories that matter to the community. In the same way, your gratitude ritual strengthens the sense of belonging and connections at the heart of your home. If you want to delve deeper into the importance of regional newspapers, you can check out these analyses on the subject .
By helping your child focus on what's going well, you're not just boosting their morale. You're giving them a concrete tool to build resilience and emotional balance—a skill that will serve them throughout their lives.
Ultimately, the gratitude journal is an invitation to celebrate the little things. It's a wonderful way to show your child that even in the most mundane days, there's always a little magic to be found.
The bullet journal, a simplified version for creative children
You may have already heard of the " bullet journal ," or " bujo " for short. Often perceived as a complex tool for hyper-organized adults, it can nevertheless become a fantastic playground for children! The idea is not at all to copy the ultra-detailed pages we see on social networks, but to appropriate the concept in a simple and fun way.
Think of the bullet journal as a magical toolbox, fully customizable. Your child can put anything they can think of in it: their homework, their dreams, their brilliant ideas, the books they want to read... It's a space all their own, which serves as a diary, a journal, and a sketchbook all in one.
How to get started smoothly?
No need for complicated materials! A simple notebook and some colored pencils are all you need. Forget the pressure of making something perfect; the only goal is to have fun. The secret to bujo lies in a system of bullet points , which helps organize information in a very visual way.
For example, your child can invent their own code with simple symbols:
- A point (•) for a task to be done (eg: • Tidy my room).
- A cross (X) for a completed task.
- A dash (–) to note simple information.
- A little heart (♥︎) for an idea or a desire (eg: ♥︎ Learn to make pancakes).
This approach turns planning into a real game. The child learns to visualize his days and to organize himself, which is excellent for developing his autonomy and his self-confidence .
Pages that resemble him
The bullet journal's true superpower is its flexibility. It adapts 100% to your child's passions and desires. It's not just a place to list homework; it's a space to explore everything they love.
A bullet journal quickly becomes a mirror of a child's personality. It's a place where they learn to organize their external world while exploring their internal world. It's one of the most comprehensive types of journals for growing independently.
Here are some ideas for pages, called “collections,” that your child might enjoy creating:
- My Dream Library: Draw an empty shelf and add the titles of books he would like to read.
- The film club: A page to rate the films seen and give them a star rating.
- Tracking good habits: A small calendar to check off each day he remembered to water his plant or read for 15 minutes .
- The Ideas Box: A free space to draw crazy inventions, write the beginnings of stories or note down your wishes for the next vacation.
By helping your child create their bujo, you're giving them more than just a notebook. It's a great tool for learning to structure their thoughts, set small goals, and, most importantly, create a journal that's uniquely theirs. A perfect introduction to organization, stress-free and full of creativity.
The Creative Journal: When Words Are Not Enough
There are times when our children's emotions are so big, so confusing, that words seem too small to contain them. How can we describe a whirlwind of anger or a wave of sadness with simple sentences? That's where drawing, color, and shapes come into play.
Creative journaling and mood journaling are two great approaches for this. They offer an alternative way to explore your inner world, rather than traditional writing.
Think of it as a secret map of their emotions. Rather than forcing an explanation, we invite the child to let the colors and symbols speak to tell what's going on deep inside them.
The Mood Journal: Daily Emotional Weather
A mood journal, which you may know as a " mood tracker ," is a simple visual tool to help your child pinpoint how they feel each day. The idea? Create a grid, a drawing with 30 small boxes for the month, for example. Each day, they color in a box with a color that corresponds to their main mood.
By looking at their moods over several weeks, your child will begin to see patterns emerging. This is a great starting point for a conversation: "Hey, I'm seeing a lot of 'happy' yellow this week. Did anything nice happen?"
It's a really fun practice that helps normalize the emotional roller coaster. The child understands that it's okay to feel sad or angry, and most importantly, that these feelings don't last forever.
To start gently, you can offer him fun themes:
- The internal weather: a sun for joy, a cloud for sadness, a flash of lightning for anger.
- The garden of emotions: every day, he draws a little flower whose color reflects his mood.
- The artist's palette: he simply chooses the color that speaks to him most that day.
Art Journal: A Space of Total Freedom
While mood journaling is great for tracking, art journaling is a real playground with no rules. There's no pretty drawing to do, no expected results. The only goal is to let your hands move when your heart is too full.
This type of newspaper is an incredible outlet. Your child can draw, doodle, glue pictures cut out of magazines, paint with their fingers... Absolutely anything that helps them express an emotion is allowed. In France, the press has always been able to adapt by offering a wide variety of formats, from daily news to niche magazines. It's a bit of the same idea here: there's a type of newspaper for every personality, including those who aren't big talkers. If you're interested in the different press formats, you can find out more information here .
To encourage him to get started, you can suggest some ideas:
- “What if you drew your day, but just with colors?”
- “What does your anger look like? Give it shape, color, and scratches.”
- “If joy were a landscape, what would it be like?”
By valuing this way of expressing yourself, you are sending him an essential message: all his emotions are important, and there are a thousand and one ways to listen to them and understand them.
How to make journaling a family ritual?
The key to making a newspaper a true companion for your child is to gently integrate it into their daily routine, much like bedtime stories. The idea isn't to add a new "task" to do, but to create a moment of sharing and calm.
The easiest way is to choose a fixed, quiet time . For many families, the evening after dinner or just before bed is the perfect time. It's a chance to unwind, write down the day's emotions, and prepare for a peaceful night.
Create a conducive atmosphere
No need for a large desk! A small, cozy corner is more than enough. A large cushion on the floor, a pretty box with their favorite crayons and a secret notebook, and that's it. The important thing is that your child feels comfortable and safe in this space.
Your own example is also very powerful. If he sees you doodling, drawing, or writing in your own notebook, there's a good chance he'll want to follow suit. You could even establish a quiet time where everyone dives into their journals, together but in silence.
Your child's journal is their secret garden. Promising them that you'll never read it without their permission is the greatest sign of trust you can give them. It's what will allow them to share their thoughts in it without any filter.
This trust is essential for him to feel free to confide everything there, without fear of being judged. It's his own space, an ally to explore everything that's going on in his head and heart.
Some ideas to help him get started, especially at the beginning:
- Fear of the blank page? Ask them some quick questions to get started. For example: "If your day were a color, what would it be?" or "Draw me the funniest moment from today."
- Not much time? Reassure him by telling him that a single sentence or a small doodle is already great! What matters is the gesture, not the quantity.
By transforming this moment into a positive, pressure-free ritual, you're giving your child a powerful tool they'll use for life. They'll learn to better understand themselves and gain self-confidence, one page at a time.
The My Book Story notebook is designed to accompany your child on this wonderful adventure. Its creative activities and varied themes make writing child's play. Discover the My Book Story Notebook and help your child write their own story .