In a 2003 study, cited in Royal College of Psychiatrists, Karen A. Baikie and Kay Wilhelm highlight the long-term and short-term positive effects of writing about life experiences. The study outlines why your child should start writing journals.
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” – William Wordsworth.
Expressive writing about emotional, traumatic and stressful events results in significantly better psychological and physical wellbeing. Where can your child find these experiences? Of course, in their day to day lives.
Why should your child start writing journals?
The study showed significant improvements in the following areas when you cultivate a habit of writing about life experiences.
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Higher grades for students
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Improved working memory
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Reduced depressive symptoms before examinations
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Improved social behaviour
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Improved sports performance
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Improved mood
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Greater psychological well being
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Improved lung function
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Improved liver function
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Fewer days in hospital
How should your child start writing journals?
You might be wondering how you can ensure your child is doing the expressive writing in the right conditions.
- Provide a correct statement of the facts of the situation your child is writing on.
- Ensure that the writing reveals the subsconscious thought processes. Let them include their deepest thoughts and feelings in their writing.
- Your child is able to discuss the writing with a person close to them.
- Your child is able to write freely about the topic
- Your child expresses the emotions verbally in their writing.
When and where should your child start writing journals?
It is also important to provide the right environment to your child so that your child will be able to function their best. We have some tips for that.
- Set a particular time of the day for expressive writing
- Do not write at bedtime. This helps especially if they are writing about an unpleasant experience.
This strategy of writing works for both children and adults. Cultivating expressive writing in children is probably a great strategy for improving the writing skills while enjoying all the physical and psychological benefits it offers.
Share this article with your friends and colleagues, so that they too are aware of this amidst their busy schedules.
Do you have any insights or tips that you use? Would you like to share that? Please use the comments section below and let us know!
© 2015 – 2019, Sindu Sreebhavan. All rights reserved.
About Sindu Sreebhavan
Sindu Sreebhavan is the founder of As Many Minds Minds Pte Ltd and the founding Chief Editor of The Kidz Parade Edutainment magazine, Asia's premium publication for cultivating creativity and creative writing in children. Sindu is also the founder and the Chairperson of International Youth Leadership and Innovation Forum (IYLIF). Sindu is the author of 'Infinite Possibilities' and the lead co-author of Amazon bestseller 'Breakthrough'. With a passion to infuse innovation in education and inject growth mindset and innovative mindset in people and organisations, Sindu writes, speaks and consults on innovation and creativity in business and education. She says innovation does not start with invention, it starts with a mindset. “The best gift you can give a child is the power of Confidence, Creativity and Communication” is her tagline. She is passionate about educating educators, parents and children about youth development, youth leadership, education innovation and 21st century education. She supports children, parents, schools and several organisations in these areas.
