Scrapbooking vs. journaling: What’s best for your kid?

Jan 15, 2024 Ellipse 37

Category: Health & Happiness

We all know that taking time to reflect on the activities of each day is a mindful and calming practice. Adults often practice scrapbooking or journaling for this reason, but did you know that these creative practices are easy and beneficial for kids as well?

Having a regular daily ritual around reflection and self-expression helps both kids and adults alike to process emotions, regulate moods, and live more mindfully. Whether this ritual involves writing in a journal or capturing moments in a scrapbook, it’s a great addition to any kid’s routine.

Forming new habits can be tricky, though. If one way of documenting their days doesn’t catch on, you might want to present your child with a different option. If your child can’t stand journaling, they might be more enticed by the opportunity to fill up a scrapbook with photos and decorations. Likewise, if your child doesn’t take to scrapbooking, they might be the journaling type.

Every Child is Different

The reason why one method of making memories may appeal to your child more than the other is simple. Every child learns differently and has different cognitive strengths and weaknesses. Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences proposes that there is no single way to measure intelligence, because intelligence is actually made up of eight different categories. Each individual has a different level of strength in each of these categories. The categories are as follows:

• Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence- The ability to process oral and written language.

• Logical/Mathematical Intelligence- The ability to calculate, use logic, and solve abstract problems.

• Visual/Spatial Intelligence- The ability to understand where you are in relation to your surroundings and where they are in relation to each

other.

• Musical Intelligence- The ability to associate sounds with meaning.

• Naturalistic Intelligence- The ability to categorize, identify, and interact with objects in the natural world, such as plants and animals.

• Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence- The ability to gather information from touch, movement, or other physical activity.

• Interpersonal Intelligence- The ability to gather and use information about the emotions, behaviors, and motivations of others.

• Intrapersonal Intelligence- The ability to gather and use information about the emotions, behaviors, and motivations of oneself.

According to this model, a child who is more gifted in one category will likely learn better when information is presented to them in the style of

that category. For example, a chart or diagram of a physics lesson might work well for a child with strong visual/spatial intelligence. However, a child with higher bodily/kinesthetic intelligence would benefit more from building a real pendulum.

So, by this same logic, your child may be more naturally drawn to journaling if they are stronger in verbal/linguistic intelligence or intrapersonal intelligence. They may be more eager to scrapbook if they possess more visual/spatial intelligence.

The question of whether to start your child out journaling or scrapbooking can be answered by asking the question, what kind of intelligence do they possess most? Catering to their specific learning advantages can ensure they will stay engaged and interested in their new habit.

Pros and Cons of Journaling for Kids

Pro: Journaling involves a lot of handwriting practice. Starting kids out with a journal at an early age can assist them in developing better, clearer handwriting earlier on.

Pro: Journaling allows kids to practice identifying and processing emotions.It can also become a valuable creative outlet!

Pro: Journaling is easy to do anytime, anywhere!

Con: Kids can often see journaling as “boring” or feel like it’s too much like schoolwork.

Con: Kids who struggle with linguistic skills might have difficulty journaling.

Journaling Tips for Kids

Prompts, Prompts, Prompts!

Creative and exciting prompts help to keep things fresh while maintaining the daily routine of journaling. The internet is full of so many you’ll never run out! Check out these journaling and creative writing prompts for kids from some of our favorite sites.

Customize Your Child’s Journaling Tools

Choosing the right journal for your child’s best comfort and ease of journaling goes a long way. Experiment with different journals and writing utensils to see what suits them best. Spiral or bound notebook? Gel or ballpoint pen? These are the things you’ll figure out through trial and error along the way.

Furthermore, having your child decorate their own custom journal creates a personal attachment between them and their journal. They’ll be more likely to consistently use something they created themselves! Have a look at these journal decorating tips from Hello Wonderful to gather some ideas.

Don’t Force It

Journaling is ideally a daily habit, but some days things just fall through the cracks. Don’t come at it from an “all or nothing” approach. If your child knows it’s okay to miss a day of journaling now and again, they’ll be less likely to quit completely.

Pros and Cons of Scrapbooking for Kids

Pro: Scrapbooking involves working with scissors, hole punches, stamps, and other tools that help kids develop fine motor skills.

Pro: Scrapbooking offers more fun for kids who like to express themselves in ways other than words. Budding photographers will develop their artistic skills shooting photos for their scrapbook.

Pro: Scrapbooking preserves precious family memories in a visual format.

Con: Scrapbooking takes more time and effort to set up and clean up than journaling.

Con: Kids need access to a printer to add photos to their scrapbook.

Scrapbooking Tips for Kids

Start with a Title

To inspire them to create a scrapbook, start by giving your child suggestions for titles. Scrapbooks can be on any subject—they’re not just for family vacations and special events! Here are just a few suggestions for scrapbook (or scrapbook page) titles your kid can use as a jumping off point.

All About Me

My Friends

My Family

My Favorite Toys

My Day Today

When I Feel Sad…

When I Feel Happy…

My School

My Dream Vacation

If I Ran the World…

My Pets

My Hometown

When I Grow Up…

Use a Variety of Materials

One of the most exciting things about scrapbooking is that it allows kids to use different types of media to express themselves. Scrapbooks don’t have to be just paper, photos, and stickers! Your child can take pictures for their scrapbook, print pictures from the internet, cut pictures and words out of newspapers and magazines, include bits of their own writing and drawings, save mementos such as ticket stubs and good grades, and so much more!

Whether you scrapbook or journal with your child, the key is to do it with them. Kids look to you to as an example, so integrating a regular journaling or scrapbooking practice into your routine is the best way to ensure your child reaps the benefits of the same habit!

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