My Feelings Journal

“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.”

—Thich Nhat Hanh

The benefits of starting a journal habit for kids.

Spring is in the air. Once we change the clocks back, I start to feel brighter and optimistic. I am planning my butterfly garden, and getting excited for the time of year where I can spend time looking at caterpillars and newly born Monarchs. It is really a fun and joyful time for me, and when I love San Diego more and more.

I loved designing this little zine that can be used as a classroom activity or at home. Kids can color it and follow the prompts to connect with their feelings. You can download as many as you like so kids can use them weekly. Starting a journaling practice can be great fun with these mini-zines. Turning a simple letter size page into a book, can seem a little like magic to a young child. Try it.

Sign up for my newsletter, and unlock access to the full printables library!

4 benefits of journaling

Journaling feelings is so beneficial for young children. It is a healthy practice that they will be able to use their whole lives. Taking the time each day to record feelings and daily activities creates a mindfulness practice that can help with self-awareness, anxiety and mental health in general. Here are 4 studied benefits to this mindful practice:

Emotional awareness

Writing down their feelings helps children become more aware of their emotions and understand why they feel a certain way. The practice of getting the feelings out on the page can be a relief. For very young children, the can use crayons to color pictures or just use the color scribbled on the page. The color red may symbolize anger, and yellow can mean happiness. Feelings in simple terms can make them more accessible.

Emotional regulation

Journaling can teach kids how to manage and regulate their emotions in a healthy way, rather than keeping them bottled up or reacting impulsively. If a child can learn to create space between an action and their emotions, they are learning to regulate. As big feelings arise, they can go to their journal or coloring pad to take a moment and find calm.

Problem-solving skills

By journaling about their feelings, children can problem-solve and work through difficult situations or conflicts on paper, which can lead to better solutions in real life. Learning to work through the day is a valuable practice that journaling can help manage. For younger children, parents can supply prompts like the ones in this printable to help kids open up and sort through events.

Stress management

Journaling feelings acts as a stress-relief technique, providing a safe outlet for kids to release pent-up emotions and reduce anxiety. Parents can ask children how they are feeling after a journaling session. It can be a good time to reflect and acknowledge how journaling helped them to shift focus and become more present and relaxed.

Easy to put together!

More free printables when you sign up for my newsletter!

---