As a kid, journaling always felt like a task I was given. I was always writing as fast as I could and never got anything out of it. I saw it as something my mom was forcing me to do, and that it wasn’t for myself. Journaling shouldn’t feel like just another writing assignment. It should be a place where they feel like they can express themselves creatively and freely.

Kids are constantly learning from the world around them, whether they are on a family trip, sitting in a classroom, reading from a book, or simply walking down the street. Journaling helps them pause and have time to make sense of what they felt, noticed, and learned. Currently, children aren’t writing for enjoyment; they feel like they are forced to sit down and write about something they have no interest in. How do you encourage reluctant writers to simply write because they want to? 

Start Small

Children do not need to write a full page for it to count. The best way to make it quicker for them is to start with one sentence, a short list, or a couple of words in a journal is still writing. For reluctant writers, starting small can make the task feel less overwhelming. 

You can start out with simple prompts like

What is one word to describe today? 

Name something that made you smile today? 

Did you see any animals on your way to school? 

Let them have Creative Freedom

Reluctant kids are more likely to write when they get to choose the topic. They can write about animals, sports, friends, food, vacations, or made-up stories. Giving them options helps writing feel less forced.

As a kid, I loved to write stories about my favorite stuffed animals’ adventures. It was called the adventures of Bunny and friends. She would often find herself getting into trouble with my brother’s stuffed animal george the monkey. When I was on vacation with my family, I would often find myself making my bunny do all the things we did on vacation. So when I go back and reread these journal entries, I can see all the things we did on vacation through my stuffed animal. This helped me enjoy journaling and make it something that was fun for me.

Encouraging Kids to Write   

I find the more you encourage reluctant writers to be as expressive as they want, the more they get out of it. Let them decorate the pages with drawings, stickers, colored pens, or photos it makes for a better story. Journaling does not have to be perfect. It is supposed to be creative, messy, and personal.

I still find myself decorating the pages of my own journal, going back and highlighting key words with funky colors. This has always been my favorite part of journaling since I was little. It lets me be creative and shows the true emotions behind my writing. I can see the days I was sad, happy, or angry, depending on the color I decided to highlight.

But the part I hated most was when my mom overcorrected my writing. If a child is writing for fun, do not focus too much on spelling or grammar. Too many corrections can make writing feel like an assignment. Reluctant writers don’t want you nitpicking their work all the time. Instead, encourage their ideas and effort. 

Children are more likely to write when they see adults doing it too. Try writing beside them or creating a family journal where everyone adds one sentence about their day. You are their biggest role model, and it always helps if they have a older sibling or cousin who journals. If the older one is doing it, then the younger one will follow. 

Making it a family effort makes for very fun stories and memories.

Learning how to encourage kids to write without forcing them is about making writing feel safe and enjoyable. Start small, give choices, keep it fun, and celebrate effort. Over time, reluctant children will become more comfortable putting their thoughts on paper.  Take it one step at a time and remember journaling is not supposed to be perfect.