What is Question a Day Journal for Kids?
Question a Day Journal for Kids is a guided journal with one prompt per day to help kids capture memories and express themselves. It’s designed to be a “hand-held time capsule” of a child’s life over the course of a year.
Who wrote Question a Day Journal for Kids?
Question a Day Journal for Kids is written by MaryAnne Kochenderfer. She’s a lifelong journaler who kept journals as a child and enjoys rereading them as an adult.
What do kids get out of doing a question-a-day journal?
Kids get a simple daily way to record memories and notice what they think, feel, and care about. Over time, the entries create a personal record they can look back on as they grow older.
Is this journal more about fun prompts or serious self-reflection?
It’s both. The journal includes silly, imaginative questions as well as deeper prompts about feelings, friendships, worries, hopes, and goals.
How is the journal set up—do you answer one question every day?
Yes, the journal is organized as one question a day for 365 days, with space to write your answer. There’s also a beginning-of-the-year reflection page and an end-of-the-year reflection page.
Do you have to start Question a Day Journal for Kids on January 1?
No, you can start any time of year. The introduction suggests starting at the beginning of school, on a birthday, at the start of summer, or whenever it feels right.
How long does it take each day to use this journal?
It’s meant to take just a few minutes a day. The book encourages writing only a few sentences, with the option to write more when a question inspires you.
What kinds of questions are inside Question a Day Journal for Kids?
The prompts cover everyday life, favorites, family, friends, school, feelings, goals, and imagination. Examples include questions like what makes you smile, what helps you calm down, and what you’d do if you could be invisible for a day.
Does the journal help kids talk about emotions like sadness, worry, or anger?
Yes, many prompts directly ask about feelings and coping, such as what you do when you feel sad, what makes you nervous, and what helps calm you down when you feel angry. It also includes questions about feeling safe, feeling left out, and handling disagreements.
Is Question a Day Journal for Kids a workbook with lessons, or just prompts?
It’s a prompt-based journal rather than a lesson-based workbook. The guidance focuses on building a journaling habit, choosing a consistent time to write, and making the journal personal.
Can kids use this journal on their own, or do they need adult help?
It’s designed for kids to write in for themselves. The instructions are simple and encourage kids to choose their own time to write and answer in their own way.
What if my child misses a day—does the journal say what to do?
The journal emphasizes flexibility and making the habit work for you. Since it’s “your choice” when to start and how much to write, it’s set up to be low-pressure rather than strict.
Are there reflection pages, or is it only daily entries?
There are reflection pages in addition to the daily prompts. The beginning reflection helps kids set intentions (like when they’ll write), and the end reflection asks what they learned and what questions they would add.
Can kids personalize the journal (drawing, colored pens, writing more)?
Yes, the journal encourages kids to make it their own. It suggests writing in the margins if needed, using different colored pens, and adding drawings in the margins.
If I want a keepsake memory book for my child, will this work?
Yes, this journal is built to become a keepsake record of a child’s year. The introduction and end-of-year reflection both emphasize saving memories to reread later and see how you’ve changed over time.
