Journaling— Being able to make good decisions is an important part of one’s self-esteem and confidence as it allows one to make decisions that are not only right for us, without pressure from others, but also allows us to make decisions that will gain the trust of people we love and admire.

The journaling process empowers the tween in two ways:

• First by giving them opportunity to look back on past experiences and learn from them, and
• Second by allowing them to express themselves in as lengthy and convoluted way as they need to, until they have thought something through to their satisfaction.

Often, decisions are difficult to make, especially as a pre-teen, and the journal provides a safe outlet for thinking through one’s options before finally deciding on a course of action. This develops self-reliance too, as the pre-teen learns that very often the answers they seek are right there within themselves; they just have to look for them and give the solutions to their questions time to emerge.

Journaling, Decision-Making &
Tween Empowerment

Not only will the journaling process cultivate your pre-teen’s creativity and intuition, but it will also have an empowering affect on their decision-making. We feel more in control of our lives when we make good decisions on our own. This is one important component of healthy empowerment – the ability to decide for ourselves. When we are empowered in this way, we are less swayed by peer pressure and we are less likely to feel pressured into decisions we may regret later.

Actually, creativity and intuition have a great deal to do with decision making and that is why it is worth further discussion here.

Creativity, especially, offers a pre-teen more options to choose from whenever they are making a decision, whereas intuition allows your child to make decisions without a tremendous amount of information. But they both go hand-in-hand with decision-making.

The creative mind is aware that there are multiple solutions to any given problem. When your child is confronted with a problem they can write the various solutions in their journal and then decide which one would be the best one to solve it.

They’ll be able to do this from their journal entries because the problem and solutions are visually in front of them, rather than being a mix of disconnected thoughts and emotions trapped in their mind.

Journaling and Young People

Being a young person is full of many different and, often, confusing thoughts and emotions. When the child experiences these they can have a hard time making appropriate decision because of the power the emotions can have over thought processes.

In fact, confusion — especially of the emotional type — can make us more prone to react quickly, without thought, rather than thinking it through. However, the pre-teen that processes their emotions through journaling gets the chance to come to terms with the emotions before making a decision, thus they think things through rather than react.

Using a journal to make decisions has a positive effect on the development of the child’s confidence and self-esteem as they develop the knowledge that they can work through their problems and confusing thoughts and find their own solutions.

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Journal Buddies Award-Winning,Tween Journals
Build Self Esteem, Creativity and Intuition and are Available from Amazon.com.

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Creative Writing Prompts for Tweens— Help your students understand the importance and value of their own ideas with these creative writing prompts for tweens.

The pre-teen years can be a difficult time for students. As they navigate the space between being children and becoming teenagers, preteens often deal with important issues about identity and responsibility. At the same time, they still enjoy silliness and opportunities to let loose. Through regular writing and journaling, students get to do both of these things at the same time.

These 59 new creative writing prompts — and journal prompts — play somewhere in the boundary between childhood and the teenage years. Tweens will think about important issues like bullying and acceptance in the classroom and American celebrity culture—issues that give them the chance to reflect and examine their own beliefs. However, they’ll also get to indulge in lighthearted and fun questions about first crushes and hanging out with friends.

Creative Writing Prompts
for Tweens | 59 Fun Ideas!

1. How do you deal with peer pressure?
2. What is your greatest wish?
3. Would you rather be rich or famous?
4. How do you use money? Do you tend to spend or save?
5. What are your favorite types of books? Why?
6. Do you like to take risks?
7. How closely do you follow current events?
8. If you could invent anything, what would it be?
9. Describe how you met a goal. How did you feel afterward?
10. What does friendship mean?
11. If you could instate any law, what would you choose?
12. What causes are important to you?
13. How will you choose a high school?
14. Do you think you will go to college? What will you study?
15. How much time do you spend each day on homework?
16. What is your favorite thing to do with your friends?
17. Describe a time when you were jealous. How did you feel? Did you overcome it?
18. What do you want to do when you grow up?
19. Who do you want to be when you grow up?
20. What do you look forward to doing as a teenager?
21. What is your favorite way to learn?
22. Where do you go when you need space to think?
23. Describe yourself in 10 words. Why did you choose these words?
24. If you wrote a book about your life, what stories would it include?
25. What does it mean to bully someone?
26. How can we promote acceptance in our classroom?
27. What is the best thing about being a kid?
28. What is the worst feeling you’ve ever had?
29. Why is learning important?
30. Does art appeal to you? Why or why not?
31. What is the craziest dream you’ve ever had?
32. Write about a time when you were scared, but everything turned out okay in the end.
33. Write about something that other people don’t know about you.
34. How do advertisements affect you?
35. What kinds of pressures do kids and teens have today?
36. Write about something you believe in.
37. Write about a time when you were embarrassed.
38. How do you divide your time?
39. What is the greatest lesson you’ve ever learned?
40. What do you think about the way Americans care about celebrities?
41. Who are the people in your support network? How do they make you feel?
42. How do you help other people?
43. Do you prefer listening to music or watching movies?
44. How has your relationship with your parents changed as you’ve gotten older?
45. What is something that makes you proud?
46. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?
47. Imagine a day spent living in someone else’s shoes. What challenges would you experience?
48. What do you think high school will be like?
49. What is the most important subject in school?
50. Do you think that dreams have any significance?
51. Write a poem about something you’ve learned.
52. Do people listen to you when you talk?
53. What is the farthest you’ve ever traveled?
54. Do you prefer to spend time inside or outside?
55. Write about your first crush. How did he or she make you feel?
56. How does it feel when you stop talking with old friends?
57. Would you ever consider studying as an exchange student?
58. Have you ever tried an unusual sport or food? How did you feel afterward?
59. What does happiness feel like? Describe it using each of the five senses.

Through journaling and writing, students explore each aspect of their personalities. There’s no need to limit individuality to a particular characteristic or philosophy when there are so many possibilities available. A student can try on a new thought for a day or explore a concept from someone else’s perspective. When students are growing into their future selves, this type of limitless potential is invaluable.

Until next time, write on…

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Journal Buddies encourages creative writing skill building in boys and girls.

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Kids Creative Writing Ideas—

We all know that there are many benefits to teaching kids to write, but maybe you are wondering how to encourage more creative writing activity from your child. This article offers you several kids creative writing ideas.

Encouraging children to think imaginatively and at the same time allowing them to practice their writing skills can lead to a many positive outcomes such as increased self-esteem and self confidence and a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s skills.

5 Kids Creative Writing Ideas

Kids Creative Writing Idea #1 – Look for creative writing software, apps, programs and the like.

Children nowadays are not like kids in the past. Computers and technology are a part of their everyday lives, and you will want to use this fact to your advantage.  Indeed, you’ll want to help your child learn how to use technology in a balanced way–some use for pure fun and entertainment and some for learning and growth.

In order to help your child develop his writing skills you can let him practice on a laptop or a an ipad. (Aside from allowing him to practice his writing and imaginative skills, you are also letting him improve his typing and keyboard skills.) There are some really great writing apps for kids out there! If you do not have an ipad or other tablet, check for kids writing technology resources at your public library or school library.

With the use of technology you will want to limit a child’s exposure, however, as too much computer time may lead to eye strain and poor eyesight. Just remember to send your child outside to play from time to time!

Kids Creative Writing Idea #2 – Formulate writing games for your child.

Children enjoy playing games, and writing games can be a great way to help them engage in and enjoy creative writing on a deeper level.

An example writing game for kids you could do with your child is to share writing ideas or a list of random words and then instruct him to include them in his creative writing. If he is able to string these ideas together successfully and make a story then he has won the game. Give him a complement or reward for a job well done.

If you prefer online writing games, Scholastic has some great writing games for kids on their site. Check them out!

Kids Creative Writing Idea #3 – Encourage your child to write about something he (or she) has experienced.

Personal experiences can be a great way to kick-start a kid’s creative writing process. This can also help them to express their own thoughts and feelings in a safe way, especially in cases when a child experiences difficulty doing so.

Writing creatively and in a fictional way about personal experiences is also considered therapeutic. On the other hand, in cases where the experiences lean towards a more positive concept, writing about personal experiences can be a great way to keep a memory alive.

Kids Creative Writing Idea #4 – Create an online blog for your child to publish his or her work.

For more tech savvy and outgoing children, you can create a kid’s blog page for them to publish their ideas.  A safe and simple blog for kids resource is kidblog.org.

Publishing a blog will help some children to gain confidence by putting their writing out there for the world to see and to comment on! The mere act of going public with one’s writing helps a child to become proud of their own work. Oh, and be sure to share the blog with relatives, teachers and neighbors and ask them to comment and give feedback on your child’s writing.

Kids Creative Writing Idea #5 – Never forget to compliment them for a job well done.

Positive reinforcement plays a big role in a child’s writing confidence. If they feel like they are doing something good and are being appreciated then they are much more likely to continue doing it. In order for your child to appreciate their work and the effort they have put into producing a written creation do your best to remember to compliment them. A reward system might also be beneficial.

When your child makes mistakes, be sure to use constructive criticism so that your child does not feel discouraged. Avoid harsh criticism as it tends to severely hinder the creative process.

There are a lot of different ways you can approach kid’s creative writing in order to make it an enjoyable process for both you and your child.

These 5 great kids creative writing ideas are sure to inspire you in one way or another and to help your child develop and refine his writing ability. Just be sure to make learning to write — creatively or otherwise — fun, enjoyable and meaningful for your child. By doing so you’ll engage their interest and keep their attention over time.

Until next time, write on…

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Journal Buddies kids journal for girls and boys
is packed full of creative writing ideas.

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Creative Writing Story Starters—

With these new creative writing story starters, students will enjoy 56 fun boosts of creativity. Each story starter gives students a starting point from which they can take any number of directions.

They’ll think about what they would do if they found $1000 on the ground or what would happen if one of their best friends was elected President.

For extra fun, encourage students to share their stories with one another after writing. They’ll be amazed to see how many different ideas they came up with from the same short story starter!

Promote imagination and adventure with these new journal prompts and creative writing story starters. Regardless of whether they write silly, scary, or serious stories, students will love the chance to write something unique!

 Creative Writing
Story Starters

1. You become a character in your favorite video game, and…
2. Your grandma comes to town and brings an unexpected surprise…
3. You are an astronaut who finds something strange on the moon…
4. Your parents tell you that you’re moving across the country.
5. An alien comes to Earth, and…
6. At the beach, you find a special seashell…
7. At summer camp, the boys and girls wage a prank war against one another.
8. Every time a dog barks, something unusual happens…
9. You learn that you are heir to a throne…
10. At the library, you find a photo in a book.
11. The last seconds on the clock are ticking, and the ball is in your hands. What happens next?
12. You get stuck in an elevator with…
13. In the backyard, your dog finds a mysterious necklace…
14. Your best friend is elected President.
15. At the mall, you walk by a mannequin that looks just like you. Something odd is happening…
16. You find an old photo of your grandmother, and see that she was a famous actress…
17. You receive a letter in the mail saying that you’ve won $10,000. What do you do?
18. Your favorite athlete shows up at one of your games—but as a player on the other team!
19. Your bicycle runs away from home. How do you find it?
20. You discover a magic button that will…
21. You suspect the school library might be haunted…
22. On Halloween, you discover that someone is handing out haunted pieces of candy…
23. You come home to find your cat eating a bowl of ice cream. What happens next?
24. You win a contest on the radio for…
25. Three kids get locked in the mall. What do they decide to do?
26. You travel to the prairie and see…
27. You switch places for a day with your favorite celebrity.
28. You’re a race car driver with an embarrassing secret.
29. Your favorite singer agrees to perform an exclusive show in your basement.
30. You come home from school to find a box on your porch. What’s inside?
31. At your birthday party, you receive a very special present…
32. Your luggage gets lost at the airport and you accidentally open the wrong bag.
33. Your class gets snowed in at school. What do you do?
34. You show up at school, but you can’t remember where of your classes are or who anyone is.
35. You switch places for a day with your dad.
36. In the back of your closet, you find a basketball jersey…
37. You find out that your teacher used to be…
38. The pizza delivery person brings you something you didn’t order. What is it?
39. You find $1000 on the ground, and…
40. Your family wins the lottery.
41. You discover your parents are spies…
42. You become the youngest person ever to set a world record for…
43. You and your best friend end up on the set of your favorite TV show. What happens?
44. You take a ride on a tornado, and…
45. You run into some trouble while camping…
46. There is a magic swing at the park that will take you to…
47. The power goes out, and you’re home alone…
48. One day, there is a very strange weather report that says…
49. Everywhere you go, you keep hearing a song that no one else can hear…
50. You find a map leading to buried treasure, but it’s buried under the principal’s house!
51. You hear an ad on the radio for a magic product that will…
52. You stumble upon a cure for __________. What do you do with it?
53. On Christmas Eve, you hear a strange noise on the roof…
54. You’re in the school play and worried about forgetting your lines.
55. You get home from the zoo and find a baby monkey in your trunk! What do you do?
56. You win a cooking contest for your famous __________ recipe.

Daily writing offers many benefits to students, but the ability to explore new worlds is undoubtedly one of the most important. So put these creative writing story starters on double duty and use them as journal prompts for kids as well! Whether they’re writing creatively or considering a topic of personal reflection, journaling improves critical thinking skills and encourages imagination. 

When students write on a regular basis, they gain more confidence in their schoolwork and in their own ideas. Journaling is a powerful way to empower your students both inside and outside of the classroom.

Until next time, write on…

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Journal Buddies kids journal for girls and boys
encourages creative writing and journal keeping skill building.

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Kids Writing— Journal Prompts for students that honor Martin Luther King, Jr.

While you’re teaching your students about Martin Luther King this January, engage them further by pushing them to learn more about him, his life and his legacy.

With these new kids writing prompts, students will expand their understanding of Dr King and deepen their respect for his work and its lasting effect on humanity.

Kids Writing
61 Prompts about Dr. King, Jr.

1. Who is Martin Luther King, Jr?
2. Why is there a national holiday in the United States to celebrate Martin Luther King?
3. What is it that we celebrate about Martin Luther King, Jr?
4. What do you know about Dr King?
5. Were did you learn about him?
6. What made his “I have a Dream” speech so historic?
7. What is his dream?
8. How does MLK’s dream continue on to this day?
9. What does racial equality mean?
10. Would you be a non-violent leader? Why or why not?
11. Would you go to jail for a cause you believe in? Why or why not?
12. Would you suffer violence for a cause? Why or why not?
13. Would you continue on with your cause even if it meant you might die? Why or why not?
14. Can you use non-violence tactics in your school to create positive change?  How so?
15. How did Dr. King influence people?
16. What is the Nobel peace prize?
17. What does it mean to be awarded the Nobel peace prize?
18. Why was Martin Luther King awared the Nobel peace prize?
19. Why is peace important?
20. MLK is the only non-president to have a national holiday dedicated in his honor. Why do you think this is so?
21. Would you like to visit the Dr King memorial on the Great Mall in our nation’s capital? Why?
22. What were some of Dr King’s greatest achievements?
23. What are civil rights?
24. Why do civil rights even matter?
25. What would the world be like without civil rights?
26. How do civil rights benefit you?
27. What is the Civil Rights Act?
28. Imagine that you have no civil rights. What does your life look like? How do you feel?
29. What is racism?
30. How does racism affect people?
31. How does racism affect you?
32. Why is Dr King so beloved by the African-American community around the world?
33. What does the phrase “Beloved Community” mean?
34. What does the phrase “Beloved Community” mean to you?
35. Create a timeline of important dates in the life of Dr King.
36. “I have a dream today” is a famous line from Dr King’s speech.  What is your dream?
37. Why is it important to dream of change?
38. What if Dr King hadn’t dreamed of change?
39. What if Martin Luther King Jr dreamed of violent rather than non-violent change?
40. Do you dream of change? Describe it.
41. What words best describe Martin Luther King?
42. What is segregation?
43. What if your school was segregated?
44. Imagine a world of peace and no war. Describe it in detail.
45. What is poverty?
46. How does poverty affect people?
47. How does poverty affect a nation?
48. Imagine a world without poverty. What does it look like?
49. How/why was Martin Luther King’s use of nonviolence so effective in creating lasting social change?
50. What is social change?
51. What is social justice?
52. What is economic justice?
53. What is justice?
54. What does justice mean to you?
55. How will you celebrate Dr King Day?
56. Why is it important to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr?
57. How does your community celebrate MLK Day?
58. How does your school celebrate Martin Luther King?
59. How does your family celebrate Dr King?
60. What would Dr King say to you if you could meet him?
61. What would you say to Dr King?

Having students journal about this important topic is a great way to get them thinking critically about the subjects of nonviolent social change, civil rights, racism, poverty, beloved community, freedom, justice, and equality.

Here are some useful links on Martin Luther King and MLK Day:

• Martin Luther King Classroom Activities
• The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr — National Geographic Life in Pictures
• Martin Luther King Biography — Nobel Peace Prize (1964)
• Martin Luther King Jr — Quotes

Until next time, write on…

Journal Buddies make wonderful
gifts for boys and girls.

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 Creative Writing Ideas for Kids—

Energize your students’ writing with these new creative writing ideas for kids! When they’re having so much fun writing, they might not even realize all the things they’re learning.

These 55 new journal prompts and creative writing ideas for kids promote creativity and fun. Unexpected questions about unicorns and space travel stretch their imaginations, while prompts about dreams, responsibilities, and heroism encourage reflection. A balance of silly and serious questions keeps kids engaged in journaling and holds their interest over time.

55 Fabulous Creative Writing
Ideas for Kids

1. If you drew a flag to represent yourself, what would it look like?
2. Do you like receiving attention? Why or why not?
3. Write about something or someone you love.
4. If you could visit any planet, which would you visit?
5. Would you rather dance or sing on stage?
6. What do you like about writing?
7. Would you rather be too hot or too cold?
8. Are you good at keeping secrets?
9. If you were taking a road trip, who would you want to have in the car?
10. What does it mean to be creative?
11. Do your parents let you choose what you wear to school?
12. How close are you with people in your extended family?
13. Do you like to go outside with shoes or barefoot?
14. When did you first learn to ride a bike?
15. What is your greatest responsibility?
16. What are you afraid of?
17. What is your favorite kind of animal? Why?
18. If you had a magic balloon that could take you anywhere, where would you go?
19. What is the best thing about being a kid?
20. If you were a song, what kind would you be?
21. What is your greatest dream?
22. Write about three things that you really want. Why are they important to you?
23. If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to have with you?
24. What is the best age to be?
25. List three foods you couldn’t live without. What do you like about them?
26. What is your favorite season? Why?
27. Would you rather ride a horse or a camel?
28. Are you (or would you be) a good older sibling?
29. How do you feel when you finish the school year?
30. Would you rather watch a movie in a theater or see a play?
31. Do you have any hidden talents?
32. Have you ever found something cool? What did you do with it?
33. Would you rather have a pet monkey or a zebra?
34. What is your favorite way to travel?
35. If you could visit any state, which would you choose?
36. Do you look more like your mom or your dad?
37. Would you rather be hungry or thirsty?
38. Name ten things that you’re lucky to have.
39. Are your dreams in color or black and white?
40. Do you like watching TV? Why or why not?
41. What would the world be like without the Internet?
42. How does it feel to receive praise?
43. What is your favorite kind of weather?
44. Have you ever found out something that you weren’t supposed to know?
45. What is your favorite kind of homework?
46. If you were a toy, what would you be?
47. Who is your hero?
48. If you created a dream pizza, what would it have on it?
49. If you were a tree, what kind would you be?
50. At the end of the day, do you prefer to play by yourself or with friends?
51. Would you rather write a paper or do a science fair project?
52. Where do you feel the most “at home”?
53. What is your favorite thing to do with your parents?
54. What would you do if you found a unicorn?
55. Have you ever won something?

There’s no doubt about it—kids love adventures. Exploring, creating, and questioning are essential aspects of childhood, and you can promote these endeavors in your students through daily creative writing activities.

While journaling is certainly a good way to help kids improve their writing skills, it also allows them a new method of expression. Through journaling, students learn how to consider ideas from new angles and come up with creative, new ways of thinking. Best of all, a student’s journal is a safe place where he or she can write freely without the fear of embarrassment or judgment.

Journal keeping is a fantastic tool you can use to encourage the kids in your life to practice and refine their creative writing skills.  We think this is simply fantastic, and hope you do to!

Until next time, write on…

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Journal Buddies encourages creative writing in boys and girls.

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New Year’s Writing Ideas— The start of the new year is an especially relevant time for journaling and reflection. As you prepare for the next year, encourage students to reflect on their success in 2011 and their goals for 2012.

These 50 journal prompts invite students to think about their New Year’s resolutions and their happiest memories of the past year. They’ll consider short-term and long-term goals and think about the paths they can take to make their dreams come true.

Help students aim for their goals with these New Year’s journal prompts. Through reflections and resolutions, they’ll be ready to take on new challenges in 2012.

 Happy New Year!
Journal Prompts and Writing Ideas

1. Why do people make resolutions?
2. How can you improve your life in 2012?
3. If you could have a New Year’s wish, what would it be?
4. How do you feel at the start of a new year?
5. What is your favorite New Year’s memory?
6. How do you celebrate New Year’s?
7. Why is New Year’s a good time for resolutions?
8. What are you the most excited for in 2012?
9. Are you sad to see the old year pass?
10. Do you like to celebrate on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day?
11. How was your last year successful?
12. By the end of the year, I will…
13. What was your favorite part about 2011?
14. Do you normally make New Year’s resolutions?
15. 2011 was a year of…
16. 2012 will be a year of…
17. If you could celebrate the new year from anywhere in the world, where would you go?
18. Is New Year’s significant to you?
19. What is the most successful year you’ve ever had?
20. What is the best way to ring in a new year?
21. How long does it take you to get used to the new year?
22. What is your favorite part of New Year’s celebrations?
23. What resolutions will you make this year?
24. What does the new year symbolize?
25. If 2012 is a successful year, how will you describe it when it’s over?
26. What would it be like if the new year started in July?
27. What was the best thing that happened to you in 2011?
28. Describe 2011 in five words. What do these descriptions mean to you?
29. Do you think the world will end in 2012?
30. How does it feel to celebrate the new year after people in other time zones?
31. What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
32. Make a plan for your 2013 celebration. Where will you be? What will you be doing?
33. What kind of goals should our class set for 2012?
34. Have your parents always allowed you to stay up late on New Year’s Eve?
35. Why is New Year’s important?
36. Do you need a new year to make a change?
37. Why do people gather round to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve?
38. Make a resolution and outline a plan that will help you stick to it.
39. How will you remember 2011?
40. When you were younger, what did you think of New Year’s?
41. What does your family do on New Year’s Eve?
42. What does it mean to have a fresh start?
43. Did you keep your 2011 resolutions?
44. What did you accomplish last year?
45. What are your goals for next year?
46. Write about a time when you successfully kept a New Year’s resolution.
47. How do you reflect at the new year?
48. What does the new year mean to you?
49. Set three goals for 2012. How will you keep them?
50. Do you believe New Year’s resolutions are helpful?

Journaling allows students to reflect and consider their own ideas in a format that is both structured and creative. When students write, they enjoy freedom of expression and the opportunity to explore. These invaluable skills will serve them as they move on to more advanced concepts in the classroom and in life.

Though journaling might seem like a simple endeavor, the practice can have a profound impact on a student’s learning process.

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“A sweet, simple, creative journal for girls and boys!”

Creative Writing Tips for Children—

What follows is an excerpt from an article titled, “Creative Writing for Kids“. I thought these writing tips were very useful and wanted to bring them to your attention.

Creative writing is a fabulous tool to engage the interest of children as it leverages their vast imaginations. AND, they can write about whatever makes their heart sing.

There are so many wonderful benefits to creative writing for kids that I hope you’ll get your beloved children involved in this fabulous kids activity today.

Enjoy these useful tips on writing creatively!

Creative Writing — 6 Tips for Children

Follow these great writing tips when helping your child learn about the joys of creative writing:

1. Remember to start with baby steps when teaching your child to write. (They are children after all.)
2. Do not push them too hard since there is a risk of a negative effect.
3. Giving or suggesting topics to write about can be a good way to help children generate more writing ideas.
4. Give them time to produce their work at their own pace. A paragraph or two is acceptable, especially on their first attempt. For some children a sentence or two is a remarkable achievement!
5. Honor the individuality of all children and their unique personalities and writing styles.
6. Reward them with a small token or give a verbal appreciation for their effort.

A good compliment can boost a child’s confidence to write more and to write better. Positive reinforcement can go a long way when you are teaching your kids.

Oh, and here are a few great online resources on creative writing for kids:

• Creative Writing by Children
• Creative Writing Activities for Kids
• Kids Creative Writing Resources
• Scholastic Story Starters

Until next time, write on!!!! Or shall I say, creatively write on.

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“A sweet, simple, creative journal for girls and boys!”

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Creative Writing for Kids – Help Your Child to Appreciate Writing

Creative writing for kids is a great way to teach your child the value of writing. Teaching a child to write can be a fun learning process. It allows them to exercise their creativity and literary skills while at the same time gaining better appreciation for the arts.

We all know there are many wonderful stories that are a hit with children, and allowing them to write their own similar stories is guaranteed to take their love for writing to a whole new level. Creative writing will help children do this!

Children need not write impeccable novels or perfect stories on their first try. The important thing about the entire creative writing process is that your child learns to express herself with her unique voice (via the written word). The ability in a child to convey ideas through written works is a powerful tool she can use in the present and in her future.

“Don’t try to figure out
what other people want to hear from you;
figure out what you have to say.
It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”
~ Barbara Kingsolver

More Creative Writing Ideas

Writing short stories is just one stepping stone into the realm of creative writing for kids.  Other forms of creative writing include poetry, song writing, script/screen writing, speech writing, journal keeping — such as the award-winning Journal Buddies — and much more. Additionally, writing will no doubt help to widen your child’s vocabulary in a fun and enjoyable manner.

Creative writing for kids is not limited to the ideas mentioned above. Childhood is a phase that any person cannot physically go back to but there are ways in which one can preserve it. Writing is one of them.

Furthermore, children, by nature, are imaginative. They have the ability to see things from a completely different perspective in comparison to adults. This is due to the fact that they are not yet affected by the complexities of life, hence their ideas may be simpler but that does not make them any less true. You might be surprised at how much wisdom a five year old possesses! (I have often found their insights to be quite impressive.)

Creative Writing Benefits

Honing your child’s creative writing skills can help them in the future. Writing helps to refine your child’s ability to think logically and also outside of the box.

By allowing your child to write about what they want, creatively, you are nurturing and encouraging the idea that their thoughts, feelings and ideas matter.

Creative writing for kids also gives them the confidence to express themselves freely, which is a very important benefit of creative writing.

Writing Tips for Children

Follow these great writing tips when helping your child learn about the joys of creative writing:

• Remember to start with baby steps when teaching your child to write. (They are children after all.)
• Do not push them too hard since there is a risk of a negative effect.
• Giving or suggesting topics to write about can be a good way to help children generate more writing ideas.
• Give them time to produce their work at their own pace. A paragraph or two is acceptable, especially on their first attempt. For some children a sentence or two is a remarkable achievement!
• Honor the individuality of all children and their unique personalities and writing styles.
• Reward them with a small token or give a verbal appreciation for their effort.

A good compliment can boost a child’s confidence to write more and to write better. Positive reinforcement can go a long way when you are teaching your kids.

There are a lot of wonderful advantages to creative writing for kids. One the greatest is that creative writing is an effective way to stimulate your child’s thinking capabilities at an early age without too much stress or pressure.

Until next time, write on… (creatively of course!)

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.
Art is knowing which ones to keep.“
~ Scott Adams

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“A sweet, simple, creative journal for kids!”

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Christmas Writing Ideas for Kids—

Through journaling, students stretch the limits of their minds and their writing skills. The benefits are substantial, and it’s incredibly easy to get started.

These 54 new journal prompts are all about Christmas—and they are sure to please everyone on your classroom list. With questions about the feeling of Christmas morning and early Christmas memories, there are plenty of opportunities for reflection.

Students will also consider important topics like the benefits of giving and receiving, family traditions, and the reasons for celebrating the holiday. If your students aren’t already feeling full of the holiday spirit, they’ll soon be excited to share in this joyous season with others.

Share the gift of journaling with your students this winter. Celebrate Christmas cheer and holiday happiness with brand new journal prompts!

Christmas Writing Ideas for Students
54 Fabulous and Fun Ideas

1. What is the Christmas spirit all about?
2. If you could give a gift to the world, what would it be?
3. What would you do if you got to visit the North Pole?
4. What are you thankful for on Christmas?
5. What would it be like to live in a gingerbread house?
6. What is your favorite thing about the Christmas season?
7. Have you ever looked for hidden presents? Did your parents find out?
8. What does Christmas morning feel like?
9. How does it feel to turn on the lights for the first time?
10. Have you ever participated in a Secret Santa gift exchange?
11. Do you think that people begin preparing for Christmas too early?
12. Who is your favorite reindeer?
13. Do you prefer to give or get presents?
14. What is the best gift you’ve ever given someone?
15. What is your favorite Christmas song?
16. Do you celebrate on Christmas or Christmas Eve?
17. What does Santa Claus represent?
18. How can you focus on something besides gifts at Christmas?
19. When does your family put presents under the tree?
20. What goodies does your family make at Christmas?
21. What is your favorite family Christmas tradition?
22. Have you ever gone caroling?
23. How will you give to others on Christmas?
24. What do you hope to get for Christmas this year?
25. Why do we celebrate Christmas?
26. What is the best thing to build with snow?
27. Did you ever sit on Santa’s lap when you were younger?
28. When does your family go to church on Christmas?
29. What is your favorite kind of Christmas lights?
30. What do you like to do during Christmas vacation?
31. If you were an elf, what kind of toys would you build?
32. How can you remember the less fortunate at Christmas?
33. What does Christmas mean to you?
34. How does your family decorate for Christmas?
35. Why do we decorate Christmas trees?
36. Is Christmas about giving or receiving?
37. Does your family celebrate any other holidays during the winter and Christmas seasons?
38. Write a story about Rudolph’s cousin, the unknown reindeer who loves to sing.
39. What does your family do on Christmas Day?
40. What is the best thing you’ve ever found in your stocking?
41. Why do people give Christmas gifts?
42. What would life be like without Christmas?
43. How can you share with other people on Christmas?
44. Why is the Nativity story so significant?
45. Who will you give gifts to on Christmas?
46. Does your family have real or fake trees? Which do you prefer?
47. What is your earliest Christmas memory?
48. Where do you celebrate Christmas? Do you ever go out of town to see family?
49. Why do we celebrate the Advent season?
50. What Christmas specials do you watch each year?
51. Have you ever left milk and cookies for Santa? Did he eat them?
52. How do you know the Christmas season has arrived?
53. Who decorates the tree at your house?
54. How do you feel during the Christmas season?

This holiday season, give students the chance to experience the wonders of imagination and spirit. Journal prompts encourage creativity, promote understanding, and help students to engage with new writing ideas. They’re also a fun way to take a break from everyday lessons and typical tasks.

Until next time, Happy Holidays and write on!!!!

Journal Buddies make wonderful
Christmas gifts for boys and girls.

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