Journaling as a writing strategy
Posted by DAVID BC TAN under: Reading; writing on 20 May 2009.
When our sons were 4 and 6 we gave each of them a journal. We had had read-aloud sessions, visits to the library, and the usual writing exercises. But I thought as a strategy for writing and self-expression, it would also be good to allow our boys to learn to put their thoughts down in words.
The 280-page journal came with few rules and even fewer expectations. I told them what it was for, that they were to write a page a day – anything – something that happened, movies they had seen, books read, places they had been, stuff they did. A sentence, a paragraph, maybe even longer, it didn’t matter, I said. Fortunately, the boys took to it without a fuss.
Ethan’s first entry in that brand new hardcover journal was dated 3 September 1996, while his last entry in that same book was March 11, 2001. As the pages ran out, Ethan asked for a new one and wrote his request down as an entry on March 10, 2001: “I got myself a BRAND NEW JOURNAL!!! I told Dad how the pages in my journal (this one) had only two or three left before asking him to get a new one.” It was then that we knew the boys had adopted the habit of journaling while unwittingly honing their writing skills. Ethan proved more consistent of the two and he appropriately titled his first journal Book 1. Here’s an entry when he was 10 years old:
Thursday February 22, 2001 A few days ago I decided to draw a huge multiplication board which goes further than 12 X 12! The usual multiplication board goes as far as 12 X 12, but mine goes as far as 25 X19! I plan to add a few dozen more numbers to the board. So far I’m almost done. Hopefully, I’ll be able to complete it before the weekend comes.
This morning Mom sent Elliot down to buy the newspapers. But he didn’t come back after 10 minutes, as we usually do. So Mom sent me down to meet him. But he wasn’t there. I waited for him for 10 minutes or so, still, he didn’t come. What happened to Elliot?
”I hope he hasn’t got lost or got kidnapped!” I told myself while walking up the road home.
“What if he got hit by a car?!” Elliot had a series of near death escapes, like the part when a car almost hit him.
Mom looked anxious, when I told Mom I didn’t meet him. I was already trying to imagine life without Elliot, if he got kidnapped or got hit by a car.
Just as Mom and I ran down the road to look for Elliot, we saw Elliot walking up the road with a newspaper tucked under his arm, and whistling!! Mom was so happy that she kissed him. Elliot looked a bit confused. On the way back we explained what happened.
“Whew!” I thought. “He’s safe! At least he didn’t get kidnapped!”
Elliot had walked all the way down to Esso which is quite far, to buy the papers! No wonder he took a long time!!
We never corrected their spelling or grammar, although we frequently read their entries and commended their efforts. Occasionally we would bring it up but we didn’t make a big deal of their mistakes. Eventually a year into the exercise, I told the boys that they should try to write with a certain structure in mind, ie, what, where, who, why, when. It was amazing seeing how their writing matured, revealing nascent sophistication and wit.
I must say the whole experiment went enormously well. With the years behind us, what pleasure we had reading their entries and daily impressions. What a full life the journals revealed. The sum of a boy’s life in a journal, written in innocence and simplicity, they were also snapshots of learning and growing away from the dull confines of school. And what a wonderful journey it has been for us all.
9 Comments so far...
Luke Holzmann Says:
20 May 2009 at 10:55 pm.
That is fantastic! I’ve seen many parents who are encouraging their children to blog as a form of journaling as well.
~Luke
DAVID BC TAN Says:
21 May 2009 at 12:31 am.
Yes – our kids blog as well, and there’s another lesson for another time 
Siew Hoong Says:
21 May 2009 at 6:03 pm.
My dd8 was so into journalling last year. This year, though, she doesn’t want to have anything to do with it. I’m not sure what it is- but she’s become really interested in logic puzzles and the like. Should I leave things be or exert some gentle pressure on her to journal again?
DAVID BC TAN Says:
21 May 2009 at 11:17 pm.
Hi Siew Hoong, you know your dd best, and as you talk and listen, you will grow in your understanding and be able to guide her best.
For our boys, Ethan continued to journal into his older teen years, but by then we were not allowed to read his now “Private & Confidential” notebooks. During his time in the National Service, writing in his journal daily helped him to think and stand firm and overcome many challenges. Elliot, however, is not much into writing and his journaling tapered into an occasional blog post, but even that blog is now dead. Ethan still writes in his blog.
I guess you can gently encourage yr dd to do it as a matter of discipline, and as part of her hs, not daily but perhaps, weekly, to reflect on what she has studied or done as a project? Reading and reading aloud will also help her want to write and express herself. It’s great that she’s interested in logic puzzles n the like, which shows she’s using her brain! What we want to see is our kids being able to think and mature as individuals. Writing may not be her passion, as it is not for everyone of us. I wish Elliot would write more, but I cannot force him. He is an avid reader and loves music, and gets along well with people. Some people think best when they write, others when they talk, and still others when they just keep quiet and think, I guess.
DAVID BC TAN Says:
21 May 2009 at 11:20 pm.
Oops, that comment above was by me, Sook Ching, the mum, and not David!
Siew Hoong Says:
22 May 2009 at 4:07 pm.
Hi Sook Ching! Thanks for the input. I guess she’s growing into her own person- at 8 yrs old! I need to give her space for that, as you suggested.
Ailin Says:
23 May 2009 at 7:00 pm.
hi David & Sook Ching,
I’m a Malaysian mom homeschooling my son Lionel in Kunming. Came across your site after some friends mentioned your names.
Lionel started doing short stories this year. I have not thought of getting him to journal but is rather keen on the idea. I’ve just started blogging recently and agree that it is a good outlet for personal expression.
Thanks for your great idea and history behind the boys’ journaling adventure!
DAVID BC TAN Says:
25 May 2009 at 12:35 am.
Hello Ailin,
Thanks for dropping by. Writing is also a matter of readiness, so do give your child time.
Freda Lau Says:
25 May 2009 at 11:28 am.
When our child was younger and ready for journaling, we let him choose his own journal covers – colour, design, etc – we then let him write his own name on it and his favourite Scripture verse so that it was something he could call his own. After all these years, he still keeps and treasures the first ones he began with.
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