Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Saint Louis, MO

Journaling is an activity for kids that has multiple benefits. Even very young children can scribble and by holding crayons or markers, they are strengthening their fingers, hand eye coordination and fine motor skills. It also gives small children a creative and emotional outlet even if they can't fully write yet.

Our three year old triplets each have journals that were created for them by a preschool teacher. They were cheap, easy to make and it is easy to add or take out pages. She used a three pronged folder, blank paper (you could use one sided "waste paper" as well) and a three hole punch to create their personal journals.

After assembly, we encouraged the kids to write their names on their journals and allowed them to decorate with stickers and scribbles. Every time they work in their journals, I guide them towards a new goal. For kids with emerging writing skills like mine, I encourage them to draw horizontal and vertical lines, squiggly lines, circles and other shapes. I also write their names very clearly and ask them to trace or copy the letters. The kids' writing is far from perfect but in four months, they have progressed to making some shaky letters and shapes.

For older children like my third grader, use the journal for handwriting or drawing practice. Some children like to use them as an emotional outlet but so far, my son likes to draw race cars and super heroes. No matter what the result, the act of writing or drawing is important for kids or all ages.