The Benefits of Journaling for Kids

Journaling: The Benefits for Children 😊

Why Journaling with Drawing and Coloring is Beneficial for Children Aged 6-10

Colorful cute doodles obviously by a child, blue butterfly, pink flowers, crescent moon, cloud, sunshine, fat bunny rabbit outline.In today’s digital age, finding activities that encourage creativity, self-expression, and mindfulness in children is more important than ever. One powerful tool that parents and educators can use to support a child’s emotional and cognitive development is journaling with drawing and coloring. For kids aged 6-10, combining writing, drawing, and coloring in a journal offers numerous benefits that go beyond simple fun. In this article, we explore why journaling is essential for children, how it supports their growth, and how parents can encourage this practice.


✍️ The Benefits of Journaling for Kids

Journaling helps children process their thoughts and emotions, but when combined with drawing and coloring, it becomes a holistic activity that engages both sides of the brain. Let’s break down the key benefits.

1. Boosts Creativity

Children are naturally creative, and journaling with coloring and drawing prompts their imagination to flourish. Providing kids with the space to express their thoughts visually and verbally encourages storytelling, problem-solving, and thinking outside the box.

Encourage creativity with these ideas: Provide them with prompts or make suggestions

Two young girls peering closely at a page in a journal. The girl in a red top is writing in the diary journal

for an activity.

  • Prompt: “What’s your  favourite flower?  Can you draw it?.”
  • Activity: “Draw a picture of a magical creature and write a story about its adventures.”

2. Develops Fine Motor Skills

Writing, drawing, and coloring help children develop their fine motor skills. These activities require hand-eye coordination, precision, and control, all of which are important for tasks like handwriting and even tying shoelaces.

Collection of brightly coloured crayonsBy practicing these skills in a relaxed, creative environment, children are more likely to develop confidence in their abilities.

Tip: Offer a variety of coloring tools such as crayons, markers, and colored pencils to keep kids engaged. Most journals don’t give spaces for drawing, coloring and writing, yet it’s important to encourage all 3 skills as some kids will show more interest in the artistic side of journaling rather than simply writing.

 


Emotional Benefits of Journaling

3. Encourages Self-Expression

For children aged 6-10, expressing emotions can be challenging. Journaling provides a safe space where they can explore their feelings through words, pictures, and colors.Graphic of finger pointing at 1 of 3 emoticons. Blah, happy & sad

Journaling also promotes emotional intelligence. Kids learn to identify their feelings, reflect on their experiences, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves.

Activity Idea: Ask your child to draw how they’re feeling today. Then, discuss the drawing to help them articulate their emotions.

4. Reduces Anxiety and Stress

Even kids can experience stress and anxiety. Journaling with coloring and drawing can serve as a calming activity that allows them to decompress.

Childs hand holding red pencil and coloring picture.Coloring, in particular, has been shown to reduce stress levels by promoting mindfulness. When children focus on coloring patterns or drawing pictures, they engage in a meditative practice that soothes their minds.

Tip: Create a bedtime journaling routine to help kids wind down and relax before sleep.

 


 Cognitive Benefits of Journaling

5. Improves Focus and ConcentrationBook on a table. Image shows an underwater scene with fish, mermaid, a turtle and other sea creatures in black and white on a colourful blue sea background.

In a world full of distractions, helping children build focus is essential. Journaling activities require sustained attention and concentration, which improves their ability to stay on task in other areas of life.

Activity Idea: Create or use themed journals where kids can explore different topics like animals, space, or nature. These focused activities help develop their attention span.

 

6. Enhances Vocabulary and Writing Skills

Journaling encourages children to practice their writing skills in a fun and low-pressure way. By combining drawing with storytelling, they expand their vocabulary and develop their narrative skills.

Prompt: “Draw your favorite animal and write five sentences about why you love it.”

7. Boosts Memory Retention

Journaling is a valuable tool for strengthening memory retention in children. When kids take time to reflect on their daily activities and write them down, they engage in a process that reinforces their recollection of events. This not only helps them capture important moments but also enables them to build a meaningful personal narrative that fosters a sense of identity and connection to their experiences.

 


👩‍👧‍👦 How Parents Can Encourage Journaling

Creating a journaling habit can be easy with the right tools and encouragement. Here are some tips for parents:

Make It a Daily Routine

Set aside time each day for journaling with your kids. Whether it’s after school or before bedtime, consistency is key to building a habit.

Provide Prompts and InspirationBlank notebook with cream paper. A pencil rests on one page

Give children journal prompts and journaling ideas to get them started. Prompts can be as simple as asking them to draw their favorite memory from the day or write about what they’re grateful for. We can use journal prompts for asking kids how they feel; What their favourite food is?; To discover how they are doing at school; What their favourite school subjects are, etc.

None of us like staring at a blank page!

Journal prompts can also be used to spark artistic creativity and encourage kids drawing.  Sometimes its really helpful and encouraging to have suggestions for things to sketch: Draw a cat, a spaceship, design your perfect house, and so on.

You can find some great prompts and ideas for doodles here on Pinterest.

Use Sketchbook Journals

A sketchbook journal that combines pages with space for drawing and lined pages for writing is the perfect tool to inspire creativity. Sketchbook journals provide the flexibility kids need to express themselves fully.

Themed Art sketchbook journals (with cute drawings to color) also provide drawing ideas for kids to copy. Many children (and adults) can struggle for drawing sketches initially.  Journals with existing doodles give them a great place to start.


🎨 Why Malba Books Sketchbook Journals Are Perfect for Kids

At Malba Books, we understand the importance of nurturing creativity in children. Our sketchbook journals are designed to provide the perfect balance of space for writing, drawing, and coloring.

Key Features of Malba Books Sketchbook Journals:

  • 3 colourful covers of 'My Very Own' themed Sketchbook Journals for kids. Just Dogs, Cute Cats and Under The Sea. Blank spaces for drawing.
  • Cute doodles for coloring (in different themes!)
  • Lined pages for writing prompts and stories.
  • Durable covers and handy notebooks size to easily first into a bag or purse.
  • Fun, themed designs to spark imagination

Start Your Child’s Journaling Journey Today!

3 colourful covers of 'My Very Own' themed Sketchbook Journals for kids. Mini Mice, Dozy Dragons and Cute Bunnies. Ready to help your child unlock their creativity and improve their emotional well-being? Check out our range of Malba Books My Very Own Sketchbook Journals, perfect for children aged 6-10.

Visit our website  (best for Irish customers) or head to your nearest Amazon, to browse our collection and find the perfect journal to inspire your child’s imagination!

Get them started on a habit that will benefit them for they entire life!


By encouraging your child to journal with drawing and coloring, you’re giving them the tools they need to express themselves, reduce stress, and develop essential skills that will last a lifetime. Give them the gift of creativity with Malba Books today!

PS
You can find all the ‘My Very Own Sketchbook and Journal’ series here on my website or on Amazon.

mustard brown cover with black outline dogs and pups for colouring. Title My Very Own Just Dogs Sketchbook and Journal

 

Through Amazon (For anyone NOT living in Ireland)

At Malba Books

 

Lilac coloured book features cut cat outlines for coloring. Title My very own Cute cats sketchbook and Journal.

 

Through Amazon (For anyone NOT living in Ireland)

At Malba Books

 

Book on a table. Image shows an underwater scene with fish, mermaid, a turtle and other sea creatures in black and white on a colourful blue sea background.

 

Through Amazon (For anyone NOT living in Ireland)

At Malba Books

 

Image shows Cute Bunnies Sketchbook, with black and whit rabbits on a pink background with coloured hearts, clouds and rainbows

 

Through Amazon (For anyone NOT living in Ireland)

At Malba Books

 

Image shows a book with green cover with dragons black and white outline drawings. Title: May Very Own Dozy Dragons Sketchbook and Journal.

 

Through Amazon (For anyone NOT living in Ireland)

At Malba Books

 

Cover shows blue/purple background with outline drawings of cute mini mice. Title: My Very Own Mini Mice Sketchbook and Journal.

 

Through Amazon (For anyone NOT living in Ireland)

At Malba Books