Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
Jill, last time you talked about the value of parents writing letters to their children. It’s also important to help those children start writing their own stories. How do you explain the concept of journaling to your children?

Jill Novak:
Well, one of the easiest ways to introduce your children to the concept of journaling is to read other children’s or adults’ journal entries. Seeing how others creatively write about normal, everyday moments will be all they need to do to become inspired.

Children tell us about what’s important to them all the time, and whether they’re retelling the moments surrounding a special event or commenting about things they like or don’t like, these detailed accounts are worth committing to paper. And you can also explain that a journal is to a writer what a sketchbook is to an artist.

Instead, help your child think of it as a place to record a series of life stories, using the elements of writing: thoughts, ideas, feelings, and impressions. Kids love to talk about themselves and their experiences. And that’s the key. Help them to begin to capture those oral accounts on paper, and they’ll be on their way to becoming writers.

Mike:
Jill, that’s a great way for parents to get their children writing! We’ll talk more about journaling next time. Until then, I’m Mike Smith.