My Worries Journal
To develop emotional processing skills through a personal worries journal for drawing and dictating concerns.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Personal, Social & Emotional
- Learning area: Personal, Social and Emotional Development
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Uses journal to express worries
- Shows relief after externalising
- Discusses worries openly
- Develops worry perspective
Materials
- Individual journals
- Drawing materials
- Stickers
- Quiet journal corner
Instructions
INTRODUCING THE JOURNAL: 'This is YOUR worry journal. When something bothers you, you can draw it or tell me and I'll write it for you. Getting worries OUT of your head helps.'
MAKING IT ACCESSIBLE: Keep journals where children can access them freely. Some children will use theirs daily; others rarely. Both are fine. 'Your journal is there whenever you need it.'
REVIEWING TOGETHER: Periodically look through journals with children: 'Remember when you were worried about the school trip? You were so brave and you had a lovely time! The worry was bigger than the thing!'
TEACHING WORRY MANAGEMENT: 'Not all worries come true. Let's look at your old worries—did they happen? Mostly NO! Our worries try to protect us but they're not always right.'