Journaling
I have just begun journallng this year with some students and was hoping to start a journaling workshop, but COVID-19 had other plans for us! :(
I began journaling with students after doing some mindfulness activities. It was a good way to reflect on and learn from their experience. I asked them to express how they were feeling, did anything come up for them, what did they like, not like, and anything else they'd like to write about in that moment.
Journaling can be an easy and effective way to expel and sort through feelings, as well, and it can help your child feel better afterward. Its like "venting" but on paper. Sometimes kids can't talk about things with someone when they'd like to (person is busy, or not around) or don't feel they have someone they trust to talk to, and this is a good place for expressing these feelings in a safe place. Sometimes children can journal in the moment, when they are feeling those big feelings. Sometimes they can use the journal to reflect on things once the feeling has passed. It will all depend on your child. Let them take the lead. If they don't want to write in that moment, please do not force it. This is meant to help, not compound the issue.
It is important for your child to know that this is a private place for them to sort through feelings, and not worry about hurting someone's feelings or causing trouble. That can only happen if the journal is for their eyes only. I always tell my students that if something (a topic/feeling) comes up more than twice, to promise me they'll share it with someone they trust. They don't have to show that person what they wrote, but share what happened and/or how they were feeling. It is also important for them to know that if there is something happening to them that is making them uncomfortable, someone is breaking rules/the law, or they or someone they know is in danger, that they should tell someone right away, and know they will not be in trouble for telling and are doing the right thing.
This is not the place for spelling and grammar and I always say I don't care about those things here. I just want them to be able to express their feelings, no matter if they are in complete sentences, make sense or are spelled or grammatically correct.
If you have the means, I recommend letting your child choose their own journal (they have some nice ones at Dollarama for $2.50) and a fun pen.
If you need some ideas on getting started, see below.
Now, grab that pen and get started! Happy Journaling!
52 Journal Prompts to Build Kids Self Esteem & Confidence
Taken from : https://www.journalbuddies.com/journaling-resources/self-esteem-confidence-journal-prompts-for-kids/
1. What is your greatest talent?
2. What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?
3. How do your parents encourage you to be more confident?
4. Write about a unique quality you have that makes you special.
5. Write down five things that define who you are, listing them as “I am ____,” statements. Take a few minutes to think about each one. Which quality feels the best?
6. Write about a time when you did something you were afraid to try. How did you feel afterward?
7. When you’re feeling confident, what emotions do you experience?
8. Write about a person you admire. What qualities do you have in common with this person?
9. What is your favorite thing to do? How do you feel when you work on this activity?
10. What does it feel like when someone recognizes something you worked hard to do?
11. What makes you feel like a strong person?
12. What do you do when you see a classmate struggling with something?
13. Of the people in your life, who makes you feel the most confident?
14. Name three qualities you love about yourself.
15. How do you think other people see you?
16. What is self esteem?
17. Why is it important to have high self esteem?
18. How do you know when you’ve succeeded at something?
19. Write a poem that describes the feeling of confidence.
20. What kinds of things hurt self esteem? How can you discourage these activities?
21. What is your greatest strength?
22. What is the greatest feeling you’ve ever had?
23. Why is it important to congratulate people who do well?
24. Write about your greatest success.
25. What do you see when you look in the mirror?
26. What does it mean to have confidence?
27. How do you think confidence relates to happiness?
28. How do you feel when you earn good grades?
29. Write about your favorite physical feature.
30. Write about your favorite intellectual quality.
31. When you want to feel more confident, what do you do?
32. What is your biggest goal? How will you achieve it?
33. Write about a time when you helped another person. How did you feel?
34. What makes you happy?
35. Make a list of ten things you’re good at doing. How do these things make you unique?
36. How can you help other people feel more confident?
37. How do you feel when you journal regularly?
38. What is it like to try something new?
39. Do you ever have trouble making decisions? How can you work to make choices more quickly and with more confidence?
40. Write about three things that make you happy. How can you spend more time on these things each day?
41. What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done?
42. Why is it important to have high self-esteem?
43. Think of something that you would like to do better. How can you work to improve?
44. How do you feel when someone gives you a compliment?
45. What types of things make you feel confident?
46. Why is it important to spend time with people who appreciate your best qualities?
47. How do positive thoughts promote confidence?
48. What is something you have done well recently?
49. Write about a time when you made a great choice.
50. Do you spend time worrying about what other people think? How does this feel?
51. When do you feel proud of yourself?
52. Write about a time when you struggled with something new. What did you do to improve?