On the first Sunday of the this year, Sister Roberts gave a talk about keeping journals. It was really fantastic and inspiring. Then while in Relief Society, she shared a few more ideas about journaling with your children. One idea that I just loved, was having a journaling cookie jar. She explained that when her boys were small, she had a special cookie jar that she kept well stocked with animal crackers. Each time she and her boys sat down to write in their journals, they would eat a few cookies from the journal jar. She said her boys LOVED journal time and would beg to write in their journals – mostly so they could get cookies, but also because it was a time that they sat down to do something together as a family.
So I decided to use her idea and try it with my own kids. So here we have the Journal Treat Jar:
I decided to call it a “treat” jar rather than cookie jar so that I can change out what kind of snacks I put in there to hopefully keep them excited about it. This is just a $5 canister that I picked up from Wal-mart, a piece of ribbon and a little title card I made on the computer and printed out.
To go along with it, I also made an “idea” jar filled with questions for times that they need an idea to write about. These I also just made on the computer, printed out and then laminated them to hopefully keep them in condition to be used over and over. Here is a sampling of some of the questions I put on them:
To get us started, I bought a few notebooks and stickers and let them decorate their journals to make it their own.
And then we started writing! Layton of course doesn’t write anything, instead he draws a picture about whatever subject he chooses.
We only write in them once a week and they are loving the experience. And I am loving what they are writing. During our last journal time, Dallin pulled a card from the idea jar and was asked to share a memory about Mama Doris (my grandmother). This is what he wrote:
I thought it was so cute and I am so glad that we have it recorded to go back and look at it over and over.
7 comments:
Fabulous idea! I also love the question cards to help give ideas of something to write about. What a treasure it will be when Dallin reads his journal years from now and see his "illustrations." : )
So neat that he has memories of Aunt Doris. This is a neat idea.
What happy memories Dallin's Journal brought back. Anytime you were coming over Mama insisted that I pick up some Honey Buns for Dallin. She does love her great grands! PS: Thank you so much for Saturday.
What an awesome idea! I will definitely be doing this when I have kids one day!
This is such a great idea!!
I love what Dallin wrote!
We have similar cards with thoughts of things to write down. We just never use them. I am bad about that. You've inspired me to pull them out and try again! Maybe the treats will motivate me too!
Today Emily wrote in her journal: "My daddy will be deployed soon. I will miss him." :(
Those are some great ideas, thank you for sharing, i will definitely use them to make our journal time exciting.
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