Creating a gratitude journal is a powerful way to foster a growth mindset in kids and adults alike. Gratitude journaling can be done as a family and bring everyone closer together. Not sure where to start with your child? Here are some tips on how you can create – and continue – this healthy habit with the family.
Getting Started
The first thing to know about gratitude journaling is that there’s really no right or wrong way to go about it. It should be something your kids can do for fun, so let them be creative while they learn the underlying lesson of being grateful for their lives.
Pick a Journal
The first step is to choose a journal. Take your kids to the store and let them pick out a notebook, journal, or anything else that speaks to them. They can even choose a plain notebook and decorate it with markers and stickers. The point is, it should be something that’s “theirs” and that they can take ownership of. Alternately, you can pick out one journal for the whole family to share. This will depend on the age and ability of your kids.
Entries
Start each entry by telling your child to add the date at the top. This way, they can look back later and reflect on what they were feeling on that particular day as well as the positive things that were going on in their life, points out Parents. Older kids can use their phone or computer to journal.
It really depends on what each child is comfortable with. It should be conducive to writing “on the go” so they can journal anytime, anywhere. Small children who can’t write yet, or kids who are more visual in nature, can choose to draw pictures to express themselves instead of text. These visual representations are often helpful for kids in expressing emotions.
Frequency
There’s no strict timeline for journaling, either. You don’t want it to feel like a chore that you all have to “get through” each day. Journal every day after dinner during dessert with the whole family, or do it whenever the mood strikes. You could also designate one or two days a week to jot down some thoughts after school. Whatever the case, it should be a bonding family experience.
Also, it doesn’t have to be a notebook per se. You can go around the table and ask each person to write what they’re grateful for that day on a small piece of paper and put them all in a jar. Take turns reading responses from the “Family Gratitude Jar” each evening.
Samples of Gratitude Journal Prompts
It can be tough thinking about what to write, especially if you journal every day. Here are some prompts to get you started when you’re in a rut.
- List three things you’re grateful for each day. They don’t have to be big: it could be a sunny day, a snack shared with a good friend, or a hug from dad after work.
- Try some creative prompts such as “What made you laugh or smile today?”.
- Use the “JOY” acronym:
- J (Joy) – What brought you joy today?
- (Others) – What can you do tomorrow to bring joy to other people?
- Y (You) – What is something about yourself that you’re grateful for?
Whichever approach you use, make sure it’s rooted in a mindset of: “no rules and no boundaries.” Don’t judge or correct what they write, and don’t use it as fuel for arguments. Instead, always be accepting of what your children are so grateful for.
Creating a Routine With Your Gratitude Journaling
Any new goal or habit can be tough to get started with. You need structure and routine, and a commitment to those things, in order to ensure you can go the distance. Above all, be realistic about what your family or kids can contribute to the journaling experiment and how often they can do it.
Base this journaling schedule on your calendar, lifestyle, and attention span of your children. It may be once a day or once a week, but whatever you decide, stick to it.
It can be challenging to start a new habit or routine, and it’s not uncommon to experience setbacks. Just be diligent and get back on track if you miss a few days. In the end, you’ll create a healthy habit of being grateful for what you and your children have.
Schedule a Tour of Country Home Learning Center Today
We are big on gratitude here at Country Home Learning Center and encourage it in every room, from toddlers to preschoolers. Come see how we operate with a tour of one of our San Antonio or Austin facilities. Contact us today to book your visit!
