What topic captivates your child? Dinosaurs? LEGO? Trucks? What activity do they love to do? Baking? Chess? Pottery? Most kids have at least one interest that truly captivates them. No doubt you have started a sentence with “My kid is so obsessed with [fill in the blank]!” It is absolutely delightful to watch your children…
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Easy Way to Start a Journal with Your Preschooler
Lots of parents want their kids to get a head start on their literacy and writing skills, but it’s a mistake to force formal writing during the early years. However, you can encourage early “writing” skills by starting a journal with your preschooler. Preschool journaling doesn’t not have to include actual letters, words or sentences!…
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Zentangles with a 5 Year Old
I finally found an art project that my 5 year old son loves and doesn’t want to quit as soon as possible! Zentangle® inspired drawing! I have such a hard time getting my kids excited about art, this is a joyous post to write! As many of you know, we like to use journals for…
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Writing Journals for Children that Build Self-Awareness & Creativity
This list of Writing Journals for Children is a bit different than my typical book lists for kids. Writing in journals does not just provide handwriting practice. Journaling, whether daily, weekly or even just every once in a while, gives kids a sense of accomplishment. Kids develop a great sense of self-awareness and are able…
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Tandem Drawing Activity (Encouragement for Reluctant Artists)
One of my more successful attempts at encouraging my youngest son to pick up a pen and draw has been tandem drawing in my art journal. You know those super simple concepts that turns out to be surprisingly fun and effective? Tandem drawing is one of those. Plus, even if your child is not a reluctant…
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Creative Journal Ideas for Kids
I’ve shared in the past how keeping a journal is an important part of my life and that I’ve attempted to instill in my kids a love of journaling. My experience of journaling with the kids has had its ups and downs and I want to share what I’ve tried, our successes and failures. I’ll…
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Handmade Journals and Books about Writing for Kids
The kids are back to school and it’s time for another book art project with my partner in bookish awesomeness, Ana from Babble Dabble Do. As you know, I try to encourage my kids to exercise their writing skills in playful ways, including using journals for fine motor work, or making a hobby book. Ana…
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Preschool Fine Motor Development Activity: Journal “Writing”
We are working on developing fine motor skills a lot around here lately. Four year-old New Kid was recently diagnosed with some fine motor delays. Even though he now receives occupational therapy services at school we are supplementing with a range of fine motor skill activities at home to strengthen those important finger muscles! Fine…
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