Journaling Project Enhances Literacy Development and Builds Social Skills and Classroom Community

Bev Moncrief and Michelle Nelson at Highline Head Start have joined together this year to share planning and experiences between their classrooms. One literacy experience that they both use is journal writing. In their classrooms each child has their own journal. Special pens are used and time is given every morning for children to write and create in their journal. What started as a simple idea has really blossomed into an important part of each day. Children use journals to explore art, to draw, to write letters and numbers, and to share about their work and life.

Since we began using journals we have seen huge growth in how children express themselves. Children have found connection with one another through their journals. Regardless of language, children are excited to share their work. They sit together in groups drawing similar items, like their house or Spiderman. They draw pictures of one another, their friends. They help one another learn to draw different things. All in all children are immersed in the experience because it such a joyful interactive time.

Another key to the successful use of the journals has been having a teacher present during journal time. We facilitate children’s involvement through documenting some of their work, asking questions, sharing pages with other children and modeling. We also provide picture cards with words that children can choose to use as a model as they write. As teachers we believe our attention to the process lends value to the activity and encourages children to be part of this community experience. As you can tell their experience has Bev, Michelle and the children convinced journaling is a great way for young children to build a body of knowledge about words, build community, fine motor skills and have a great time doing it!