In some of our activities for the Elementary-aged children, we talk about having a brainstorming notebook. We encourage you to bring the idea of brainstorming and journaling to them at a young age so this is not a new concept to them once they’ve hit grade school.

All you need is a composition notebook, some writing utensils (varying in color), and some stickers. We want to start very simply so as to not overwhelm and to be sure to always keep it fun.

• Start out by drawing a shape on a page in the notebook, hand them some crayons or markers and let them draw or color whatever they would like within that shape. Don’t worry if they go outside of the shape, it’s all part of learning.
• Next, do the same as above, only this time let them use the stickers to decorate the shape.
• As you progress slowly you’ll want to start adding in the first letter of their name to trace, sight words, and numbers.
• We don’t want this to feel like all work all the time, so give them the space to be creative in their own way within the journal.

Eventually, they will be ready for our “i” The Guy Writer’s Journal and writing creative stories and poems in no time!

Don’t forget to show us what your child creates at home by using the hashtag #iWRITEathome.