Awhile back, I started taking some time to sit in the children’s bedroom after they were all tucked in for the night, to chat with them about the day. It inspired me to make this printable so I could preserve all the funny and adorable things they were telling me.
This activity is best for 2 years old and up. The thing I love about these journal pages, is that it helps to understand what each of your children likes, dislikes, and what is important to them. It also gives me the opportunity to talk to them about what things they can work on behaviorally, and ends with them learning how to pray.
Scroll to the bottom to download the free printable PDF for printing.
Here are the questions, and how I use them:
What was something you enjoyed doing today?
If you have a child under age three, you might have to give them additional prompts. Remind them of the things they did that day and then ask them which activity they enjoyed. For some kids it helps to ask, “What was your favorite thing you did today?”, but for some, asking for a favorite makes it hard for them to decide, and they end up sitting there trying to make a decision on which activity was the very best. I like having this question first, because it’s an easy question and reminds them of the fun things they did through the day.
What is something you would like to do tomorrow?
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Did anything bad happen today?
This question can be used two ways.
1) It opens the conversation for them to talk about things they had a hard time with. This could include something another child said or did to them that they didn’t like, or they might not go deep at all and say something like, “I had to eat broccoli at lunch.” We all know it’s good for kids to feel like they can talk to us about things they’re struggling with, and this seems to be a good way to get them comfortable sharing their feelings. When they’re 2 & 3 years old, it is going to be mostly small, childish things. But I have heard over and over, that if you listen to the small things, they’ll tell you the big things as they grow up.
2) It gives the opportunity to discuss poor behavior without scolding or reprimanding. Most of the time when I ask this question, the kids say, “No, nothing bad happened.” So I like to kindly bring up something that happened earlier in the day like, “Did you have a problem whining today?” or “Were you having a hard time sharing your toys?” Once they acknowledge the behavior, I’ll say, “Can we work on doing better at that tomorrow?” Watch their face as you talk, and you will see that they are a little ashamed initially, but brighten up when you ask the second question. It gives them the realization that they can improve and do better. Talking in a relaxed setting like this, gives opportunity to correct behaviors without frustrating or discouraging your child. The next morning you can remind them what it was they were going to work on.
What can we thank God for?
I just added this to my evening questions after hearing my sister say that she asks her kids this one. It’s great as the final question, because it leaves them with a grateful heart, and thinking a happy thought. Thanking God for things in their life, that they understand, helps them learn to pray using their own thoughts, and not just repeating prayers that you give them. It also establishes the habit of thanking God and not just using prayer as a way to ask for things.
A note from Mom…
I like to use this section to write 3 or 4 sentences to them, like an ongoing letter, “It was fun helping you build sandcastles today! I’m so glad to be your Mommy. I love you.” Then I put their name and the date at the top, and slip the sheet into a notebook to file away for them to have in the future.
I don’t do this every night, just 2-3 times a week, sometimes more, sometimes less– and it’s my easy way of journaling (since I’m not so good at keeping actual journals for my kids.)
I’ve added the printable {HERE} for you to download and use.
If you like printables for kids, you should also follow my Pinterest board {here} where I’m always pinning other great finds from bloggers across the internet.
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