Cultural Competence A-Z: J is for Journaling

Get it all out. Write it all down.

This post is for all of you out there that have an introspective kid at home. That kid who is often really quiet and then asks the most amazingly insightful questions - ones that you can't possibly begin to answer. Questions like: "How do you know there is no such thing as monsters if you've never seen them?" or "Do people and animals all go to the same place when they die even if they don't get along?" or the ever-popular "Where do we come from?" Seriously? How did all of that brilliance just come out of my child's mouth?!?

Some kids are just incredibly reflective and express themselves best when they write down their thoughts. If you have a kid that is creative, you can encourage them to make sense of the diversity in their world by journaling about it. It can be something that they share with you or something private that is only for them. Whatever your child prefers, you should respect. But be sure to let them know that you're there to talk if they ever want to.

Below are some journaling suggestions (you don't have to write anymore! There are lots of alternative options) and some ways for your child to get started. You can suggest these to your kid, but don't force it (especially if you have a teenager at home - that's a surefire way to make sure it'll never happen). Let them know that this is a creative option that they might want to try and let their imagination flow from there. Who knows, they may come up with something that is much cooler than you or I could ever imagine!

Ways to Journal:

• Writing: Can handwrite or type
• Video Journaling: Can be done with a camera or a phone
• Art Journaling: Can draw thoughts and feelings rather than writing them
• Dance: Record or create a dance around issues of diversity

Journal Topics:

• Diversity issues at school
• Diversity issues among friends
• Diversity within one's extracurricular activities
• Diversity among town/county/state
• Diversity within one's potential chosen field of work/college/etc
• ANYTHING OF INTEREST!

Leave a comment and let us know what you might suggest to your child and what he or she may journal about. Did you kid share with you or do it privately? Let us know!

Did you enjoy this post? Check back next week for letter K! Better yet, sign up for the newsletter so you don't have to remember to check. Get valuable tips & tricks and all the latest from Culturally Competent Kids!

---