Like most things in life, the best journal page ideas for kids come from the kids themselves!
Chances are high that your child is always asking you questions, and while you'd love to actually know everything in the universe, you probably don't. So next time your little inquisitor starts interrogating you with an endless stream of questions, encourage their inquiry by teaching them how to start an "I Wonder Why" journal page!
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How to Create an "I Wonder Why?" Journal Page
There's no secret to creating an "I Wonder Why?" journal prompt and page. Simply turn to a blank journal page and label it "I Wonder Why?"
Use a new journal just for this purpose, or a page of a nature journal for questions dedicated to nature-related questions. You can also use a mixed media journal (this one is our favorite) if your child would like to include his artwork alongside the question and answer format.
There are two main ways to fill the page.
Method One
When your curious child asks you a question and you don't have the answer, he writes it down as something to be answered later. Continue to write down unaswered questions as they come up.
Next, head to the library, journal in hand, to look for the answer. A trip to the library is a good opportunity to demonstrate to your child that there are alternatives to asking internet search engines everything we want to know and then some.
A great way to learn how to use the library for looking up facts is to complete our Library Challenge for the nonfiction section.
When your child finds the answer, they write it down, along with the source of the information.
Method Two
Your child uses the "I Wonder Why" page to write down questions they haven't asked you. The difference here is that you may or may not be able to answer the question without going to the library.
Before you head to the library, you and your child review the list of questions and you answer the ones you are able to. He writes down the answers you give him.
At the library, he checks your answers against available information as well as finding the answers to the other questions.
Why Write When You Can Click?
Some might argue that writing down questions in a journal is a pointless exercise when Google, Bing or Siri can supply immediate satisfaction. However, consider the following benefits of creating a journal page for curious questioners:
- Writing reinforces memory. When obtaining information is effortless, our brains do not work as hard.
- The journal page is a record of his interests over time. As a parent you will treasure these pages for years to come!
- Journaling creates a purposeful application for kids to practice their handwriting. Who wants to fill out handwriting worksheets all the time?
- Not going straight for a screen means they can't get distracted by other things online. This is especially important if you are trying to reduce your child's overall screen time.
- A journal offers opportunity for reflection and conversation in a way that search engines do not.
More Journaling Resources
Writing Journals for Children that Build Self-Awareness & Creativity - our favorite journals that include writing or other creative prompts
Creative Journal Ideas for Kids - loads of ideas for when kids need a bit of motivation
Easy Way to Start a Journal with Your Preschooler - even pre-writers can keep a journal!
Educational Resources says
Nice post.
Christy says
Great idea!
I have the apostrophe pet peeve too.
Anna - Three Sneaky Bugs says
That's a great idea! Seth's writing skills aren't quite read for that but I'll keep it in mind. For now I just answer as best as I can and let him know when I don't have the answer. He then proceeds to hypothesis which is highly entertaining.
Raising a Happy Child says
Kiddo has great handwriting. We have "a question box" ala Sid the Science Kid, but lately Anna said that she is first going to look up answers in her "science books" herself before putting the question in the question box. She does love her encyclopedias!
Even in Australia says
Mine also misuses apostrophes. I guess I should just be impressed that at 6 she knows they exist. She is also exclamation-point happy! (As am I, I guess.)
Rugratmommy says
Great idea!!
bioluminescence says
We have a list on our chalkboard wall.
There's a cute story for learning to spell because. The end of it is "big elephants can always understand small elephants."
Joyful Learner says
We tried the question box. I like this idea much better since you have a record of all the questions. I would include a date stamp to it. Great writing and question about peppers!
The Activity Mom says
great idea! love it!
Classic columns says
awsome blog
pool windows says
nice one photographer. .
Ajar says
great Idea. going to use it. we forget the question esp when there is no time to look it up immediately. Thank you for sharing.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hope you have fun with it. I definitely think I forget stuff more when getting the information is just a click away.