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As a parent, you want to give your child every possible tool to succeed in life. You may have heard of bullet journaling and wondered if it would be beneficial for your child. Let’s take a look at what bullet journaling is and how it can help kids in their day-to-day life.
Bullet journaling is good for kids because it can aid in developing their social, academic, and emotional intelligence. It helps build good habits and provides a much-needed outlet for kids who are struggling with anxiety or stress. However, it is not good when the system becomes too much to handle, leading to stress or obsession over perfectionism.
We all want our kids to succeed. We encourage them to do their best, get good grades, make new friends… the list goes on. This is where bullet journaling enters the picture. It can help develop your child’s social, academic, and emotional intelligence. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why you should encourage your child to adopt this system.
Why Is Bullet Journaling Good for Kids?
Bullet journaling is a great way for kids to organize their thoughts and ideas. It can also help them to keep track of their homework assignments, to-do lists, and calendar events. Here are some of the benefits of bullet journaling for kids:
Develops Writing Skills
Kids are encouraged to write down their thoughts, ideas, and feelings regularly. This not only helps them to better express themselves, but also to develop their written communication, vocabulary, and grammar skills. As they regularly practice writing out words and sentences, they will become more familiar with correct spelling and grammar usage.
Aids in Academic Success
Kids who bullet journal are better able to keep track of assignments and due dates. They can also use their journals to plan and prepare for upcoming tests and projects. As a result, they are less likely to forget about important deadlines or fall behind in their work.
Boosts Creativity
Bullet journaling allows kids to freely express themselves without judgment or criticism. They can experiment with new ideas without the pressure of having to perform or produce something perfect. As they explore different creative techniques and mediums, they will develop their unique style which they can use in other areas of their life, such as school work or extracurricular activities.
Improves Organizational Skills
Kids who bullet journal learn how to prioritize tasks, manage their time, and stay on top of their responsibilities. These are important skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
Improves Focus
Planning and organizing thoughts into a bullet journal can help to declutter the mind. This can be especially beneficial for kids with ADHD or other attention disorders.
Strengthens Memory
8 to18 years of age is when the prefrontal cortex is rapidly maturing. During this phase, when kids are constantly jotting down thoughts and ideas in their journals, studies say that it helps them to better remember things and develop executive functions.
The act of writing something down engages different parts of the brain than simply reading or hearing about it would. Not only will bullet journaling help your child remember what’s going on in school, but it will also give them a boost when it comes to studying for tests and exams.
Improves Mental Health
Bullet journaling can also have a positive impact on kids’ mental health. It serves as an outlet for emotions like anger and sadness. Journaling can help kids to process their feelings and to develop a healthy coping mechanism for dealing with stressors in their lives.
It can also help them to better understand and organize their thoughts and emotions. By taking the time to process their thoughts and feelings on paper, they will feel calmer and more in control.
Encourages Self-Expression
Bullet journaling can encourage self-expression in kids who may be shy or withdrawn. This is because it provides a safe space to express themselves without fear of judgment or criticism from others. As they become more comfortable with expressing themselves through bullet journaling, they may find it easier to express themselves in other areas of their life such as social situations or class presentations.
How to Get Your Kids To Start Bullet Journaling?
Now that you know all about the benefits of bullet journaling for kids, it’s time for introductions. Follow the steps below to set up your child’s very own bullet journal:
Buy Supplies
To get started with bullet journaling, you’ll need a few supplies:
- A notebook: For instance, dot grid paper is easy to draw and write in. You can also find notebooks specifically designed for bullet journaling, which often come with helpful features like an index and numbered pages.
- Pens or pencils.
- Washi tape (optional).
- Stickers (optional).
Once you have the supplies, you can begin setting up your kid’s journal.
Set up the Basics
Teach your child how to set up the basic elements of their bullet journal, including the key, index, and page numbers. This will help them keep track of what they’ve already done and make it easier to find specific information later on.
If you’re not sure yourself, head to how to start a bullet journal.
Brainstorm Ideas
Once the basics are set up, it’s time to start brainstorming ideas for layouts and what to include in the journal. This can be anything from daily tasks and goals to academic and social events.
Get Started!
Help them get started by modeling how it’s done or giving them specific prompts (e.g., “today I accomplished…”). Make it a regular part of their routine. Help them set aside time each day or week to work on their journal, and encourage them to follow it.
What Should Be in a Bullet Journal for Kids?
A bullet journal for kids can help them track many things in their lives. From daily to-do lists and school assignments to tracking habits or goals, a bullet journal can be a valuable tool for kids of all ages. Here are nine ideas for what kids can track in a bullet journal:
Daily Schedule
For younger kids especially, it can be helpful to have a daily schedule written down so they know what comes next throughout the day. This could include school hours, after-school activities, dinner time, etc. Older kids might find it helpful to track their daily schedule in their bullet journals as well so they know what’s coming up each day and can plan accordingly.
School Assignments
Creating a weekly spread in their bullet journal devoted to schoolwork can help them stay organized and on top of their homework. They can list the assignments for each day and check them off as they’re completed.
Goals
Kids need to set goals, both short-term and long-term. Bullet journaling can help them stay focused and motivated. They can write down what they hope to accomplish, set a deadline, and then break the goal down into smaller steps that they can track along the way.
Savings
It’s never too early to start teaching kids about saving money. A bullet journal can help them stay motivated to reach their goal. They can write down how much money they want to save, set a deadline, and then break the goal down into smaller steps that they add to their savings each week or month.
Habits
Many kids have trouble forming positive habits, whether it’s brushing their teeth or doing their homework. Tracking habits can help them stay on track and motivated. They can set a goal for how many days in a row they want to complete the habit, and then color in or check off the days as they go.
Mood Tracker
Kids need to understand and recognize their emotions. They could use different colors or icons to represent different emotions (e.g., happy, sad, angry, stressed). Alternatively, they could rate their mood on a scale of 1-5 each day.
Bedtime routine
Getting into a good bedtime routine is crucial for both physical and mental health. A bullet journal can help ensure that kids are getting enough sleep each night by going through the same routine every night before bed (e.g., brush teeth, put on PJs, read one chapter of a book).
Things I’m Thankful For
Teaching kids gratitude is important for their overall happiness and well-being. In their bullet journal, kids could write down one thing they’re thankful for each day or week as part of gratitude practice.
Books I Want to Read
Reading is such an important part of childhood development. Not only does it help to develop language skills, but it also builds vocabulary and promotes critical thinking. When children are allowed to read, they can explore new worlds, meet new characters, and learn new information. As children read stories, they learn to make predictions, identify cause and effect relationships, and draw conclusions.
In their bullet journal, encourage your child to make reading lists of books they want to read.
At What Age Should My Kid Start a Bullet Journal?
A good rule of thumb is that kids should be able to write independently before they start their bullet journal, this can be from around 7 years of age.
During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex is rapidly maturing. This process starts around age 7 and continues until people are in their early 20s. As the prefrontal cortex matures, teenagers begin to think more abstractly and have better impulse control. However, this process is not complete until they are adults.
In the meantime, teenagers might find themselves struggling with mood swings, risky behaviors, and poor decision-making. This is because the prefrontal cortex is still developing and hasn’t reached its full potential yet.
Bullet journaling can help your child stay focused and productive during these years. Below we discuss the age groups, what to expect from them and how bullet journaling may be beneficial in their day-to-day lives:
7-9 Years Old
At this age, your child is probably just starting to become interested in writing and expressing themselves creatively. A bullet journal can be a great way for them to explore their interests and develop their organizational skills.
However, they may also need more guidance and support in terms of structuring their journal entries. Encourage them to focus on writing about things that make them happy, sad, or excited. It’s a great way for you to bond with your child and help them get started on a lifelong habit of creative self-expression.
10-12 Years Old
At this age, your child is probably starting to become more independent and may be looking for ways to express themselves that are all their own. A bullet journal can be the perfect outlet for their creativity and can help them develop important skills like time management and organization.
They may also benefit from having some sort of template or structure to follow. This could be as simple as providing them with a list of prompts (e.g., “What are three things you’re grateful for today?”) that they can choose from each day.
13-18 Years Old
At this age, your child is probably starting to think about their future in terms of careers and college. A bullet journal can be a great way for them to explore their interests, set goals, and plan for their future.
Teens in this age group are typically able to plan and organize their thoughts with relatively little assistance. As such, they may be ready to start designing their layouts and customizing their journals however they see fit. However, it’s still important to encourage them to use their journals as a safe space to express themselves freely without judgment.
When Is Bullet Journaling Not Good for Kids?
While the benefits of this type of journaling are many, there are also some situations where it may not be the best choice for some kids. Here’s a look at some situations when bullet journaling should be reconsidered:
They Feel Overwhelmed
If a kid feels like they’re not measuring up to the standards they’ve set for themselves in their bullet journal, it can lead to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. In extreme cases, this could even lead to depression. So, parents must monitor how their child is reacting to using a bullet journal before deciding whether or not it’s right for them.
They Become Obsessed With Perfectionism
It’s important to set some limits on how much time they spend working on it each day. Otherwise, what starts as a fun hobby can quickly turn into an obsession that takes over their life. If your child seems obsessed with their bullet journal or is spending too much time on it each day, step in and help them find a healthy balance.
Tips for Encouraging Kids to Use Their Bullet Journals
If your kids are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, starting a bullet journal can help them feel more in control. Here are some tips for encouraging your kids to give bullet journaling a try:
- Broaden their horizons: Introduce your kids to different bullet journal layouts and let them choose which one they want to try.
- Lead by example: Show your kids how you use your bullet journal. Let them see how helpful it is for staying organized and keeping track of important information.
- Let them choose their supplies: Whether it’s choosing their favorite color of pen or selecting a cool notebook cover, letting them have a say in the matter will make them more likely to use their journal.
- Let them decorate their journal: One of the best things about bullet journals is that they can be customized to suit each individual’s personality and style.
- Make it part of their routine: Whether it’s setting aside 10 minutes before bed to plan for the next day or using it weekly to review what’s on the agenda for the upcoming week, find a time that works for your child.
- Emphasize the importance of consistency: Let your child know that it’s okay if they don’t have time to write in their journal every day, but encourage them to be as consistent as possible.
FAQs
Q. What Should I Bullet Journal Before Sleep?
A. You can brainstorm any ideas or tasks that you want to tackle tomorrow and take a few moments to reflect on your day and identify any areas where you could have improved. Finally, you can use your bullet journal to set a few goals for the next day. This can help to ensure that you stay focused and on track.
Q. What Questions Should I Ask Myself When Bullet Journaling?
A. First, consider what you want to use your bullet journal for. Do you want to track your daily tasks? Keep a log of your thoughts and ideas? Plan out your week or month? Once you have a good idea of what you hope to achieve, you can start to plan out your layout.
What kind of sections do you need? How much detail do you want to include? What sorts of symbols and abbreviations will you use? Answering these questions will help you to create a bullet journal that works best for you and your needs.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a way to help your kids boost their time management skills, become more mindful of their thoughts and feelings, or simply express their creativity, bullet journaling may be the perfect solution. However, the pressure is sometimes too much for young minds to handle. Make sure that you monitor how they’re doing and intervene if necessary.
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