PREPARATION TIME: 0 minutes | AGE: 2 - 3 years old
A wonderful and effective way to de-stress, slow down, and engage in self-reflection, mindfulness, and emotional healing is through journaling.
We introduced a drawing journal when our son was two years old. It immediately turned into a bed time routine as he loved the experience and we loved the new way it helped us connect.
Whoever was putting him to bed, was tasked with unleashing their drawing genius. We would wait to get into bed to pull out the small notebook and colorful pen and ask ‘What was your favorite part of today?’. We would then draw what our son shared and we would also take a turn answering the question and adding to the drawing. As time passed, our son wanted to be actively involved in the process, taking on the role of drawing his own favorite moments and passing on the question to the person tucking him in.
I make sure to share both the moments I love while being together and also of personal successes, hobbies, and time cherished with friends. This openness allows me to connect with our son on a deeper level, showing him that I, too, have moments of joy, pride, and fulfillment outside of our family life, although he’s still surprised by it once in a while 🙂
The drawing journal became a powerful tool for communication and understanding within our family. It encouraged us to be attentive listeners and provided a safe space for each family member to share their feelings, thoughts, and dreams. It's a sweet way to practice developing a positive mindset together.
MATERIALS:
Notebook
Pen/ colorful crayons
INSTRUCTIONS:
Choose a small notebook and colorful pens.
Introduce the journal to your child.
During a quiet time before going to bed, ask your child about their favorite part of the day.
Draw it together in the journal.
Share your own moments too and add to the drawing.
Encourage your child to draw their own favorite moments if they have an interest in it and developed fine motor skills.
Use the journal to communicate and understand each other, by fostering a positive mindset together.
DEVELOPMENT AREAS:
FINE MOTOR SKILLS: Drawing with pens requires precise hand movements, improving fine motor skills.
CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATION: Engaging in drawing allows the child to express creativity and use their imagination.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Sharing favorite moments and thoughts through drawing encourages communication.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: Drawing about feelings and experiences promotes emotional awareness and understanding.
BONDING AND SOCIAL SKILLS: The activity fosters bonding between family members and encourages sharing and cooperation.
LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT: Verbal communication while drawing helps in developing language skills.
POSITIVE MINDSET: Focusing on favorite moments and achievements promotes a positive outlook.
LISTENING SKILLS: Actively listening to each other's stories and thoughts improves listening skills.
PATIENCE AND FOCUS: Sitting down for the activity requires patience and concentration.
SELF-EXPRESSION: The drawing journal provides a safe space for children to express themselves.
