It is never too early to start a writing ritual. Even if your child is at the pre-writing stage, like Jack is, you can start to shape writing habits. Remember, scribbles are a child's stories. That's the idea behind an activity we created a few weeks ago. We call it "What color was your day?"
We bought a tiny blank journal and placed it bedside along with a little jar of colored pencils. At the end of each day we turn to the next blank page, with the help of a ribbon bookmark, and Jack considers what color his day was. Then he picks a color and scribbles away.
Sometimes it's a combination of two colors, or a couple of shades of the same color. Sometimes the lines are fast and energetic, sometimes they are faint, sometimes they go in all different directions. There is no pressure to communicate any more about his day than this. I don't write any comments over his scribbles. We don't even really discuss it. I want him to realize his marks have meaning in and of themselves. And since it only takes a few minutes he can practice both his pencil grasp and self expression without getting overwhelmed.
It's a sweet, happy little ritual which he has really taken to. I hope he always reflects on the colors of his life and has his own way of documenting them.
For now, his scribbles say so much.
What are your thoughts on writing rituals?
I love this idea -- really sweet! :) Lately, my girls have been doing a lot of "list" writing. I love the scribbled grocery lists and birthday wish lists with a few "real" letters or words mixed in. Thanks for sharing this special way to reflect on the day!
Posted by: amy @ let's explore | 18 May 2008 at 12:45 AM
ohh what a sweet idea. We have a journal for each of the girls that they would draw in weekly on family night.. any thing fun that might have happened that week, but it could be stressful sometimes to get them to do it.. this is much more relaxed... I like it.
Posted by: Bobbie | 29 May 2008 at 02:04 AM
I Love this, I think it is a great idea to start kids in the right direction and into a pattern of journaling. Thanks we will be implementing this one in our family...
Posted by: Bethany Easdale | 05 June 2008 at 12:42 AM
I LOVE this! What a wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing.
In PEACE
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | 10 June 2008 at 06:38 AM
What a lovely idea, I am sue my son would love to do this. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: jo 戎嶋 | 12 June 2008 at 04:58 AM
I love this idea....I have been journaling since I was a teenager and can't wait to introduce my two little ones to it.
They are only one and two right now....so I will tuck this great idea in my archives for another year or two!
Posted by: Connie | 16 June 2008 at 08:56 AM
This is such a great idea! I popped over from The Crafty Crow. I hope to start doing this with my daughter who just turned 3. Thank you.
Posted by: Shellyfish | 16 June 2008 at 09:16 AM
I'm definitely doing this with my 2.5 year old! I'm so excited - what a wonderful idea.
(here from The Crafty Crow)
Posted by: maya | 16 June 2008 at 09:23 AM
I love that idea. I can't wait to start that with my girls. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jenna | 16 June 2008 at 12:53 PM
Thanks so much for this great idea! My son is three (and also a Jack) and this sounds like a great habit for us to implement!
Posted by: Jodi | 16 June 2008 at 03:46 PM
lovely idea. will try with my Toddler Girl. thanks for sharing
Posted by: Fiona | 16 June 2008 at 04:20 PM
I'm coming over from the Crafty Crow. I love this idea! Will definitely be starting one with my 3 year old. Thanks!
Posted by: Mary Beth | 16 June 2008 at 04:28 PM
Even great for older kids that are sick and tired of writing words! I love this idea!
Posted by: Kim | 16 June 2008 at 04:33 PM
Even great for older kids that are sick and tired of writing words! I love this idea!
Posted by: Kim | 16 June 2008 at 04:34 PM
Also here from the Crafty Crow - loving this idea for my three year old little guy who loves to "write". What a fabulous keepsake it will make.
Posted by: cherylp | 18 June 2008 at 11:10 AM
I agree with everyone. This is a great project. I have a three year old and a 16 month old and I wonder if even the little one could handle this?
I'm thinking actually of those thin brown paper covered moleskin journals to start with. They could decorate the front too
Posted by: rowena | 14 July 2008 at 10:08 PM
Thank you for sharing this wonderful idea. I am looking for ideas for a lesson on record keeping/journal writing and this is GREAT! It really helps children to learn that their thoughts and feelings are important no matter their writing ability, or what age they are. Brilliant!
Posted by: Karie Pastor | 16 July 2008 at 06:05 PM
It strikes me afresh that children do what they see. I've journal for nearly 20 years. My daughter started when she was about 2. I've blogged for about a year. My daughter has her own blog now, too. Children do what they see us doing. In our house, that is writing and reading.
I love the question, "What color was your day?" Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Relyn | 13 February 2009 at 09:27 PM
red is my color today!!!
Posted by: desiree | 23 February 2009 at 04:54 PM
its really a great idea. Thank you for sharing.
http://www.myownstuffs.com/myblog/
Posted by: Devesh | 25 March 2009 at 03:30 AM
I'm going to start this week with my 20 month old! My 6 year old has kept a journal since she was 3!
Posted by: Jerri-Lea | 09 July 2009 at 11:49 PM
I love the idea but I would definitely use to discuss the day. We have a BBR ritual that we all love: the "high, low and chocolate chip". We take turns and share the happiest moment (high), the saddest moment (low) and the one when we felt God's presence (chocolate chip). We have been doing for a year - my son is almost 4 - and it is a great way to bond as a family even during the busiest days.
Posted by: ella | 13 July 2013 at 10:36 PM