Our Heart to Heart diary – Item 163

‘Our Heart to Heart Diary’ came from discussions with an ELSA who contacted me because she thought something like this would be a great idea for building a relationship with a child. She does something similar with her own children. The idea is a diary/journal that you both fill in between sessions. Some children find it hard to talk but would be happy drawing or writing. There is space for the ELSA and the child to fill in answers to different prompts. The ELSA will be modelling how to write/draw in the diary followed by the child having a go. There is a sheet to encourage the child to ask questions or just tell you about something. They are also give the option to talk or not by putting a tick or a cross at the end of this page.

Keeping a diary or journal is a great way of letting out our feelings in a safe way. It will make a lovely keepsake at the end of your sessions. You can put the diary together in any way you wish. You might only want to use some of the sheets. There is a confidentiality agreement on the first page which I strongly advise you do before you start the diary.

Of course Our Heart to Heart Diary could also be used for a parent and child to communicate.

I’ve not tried this method of communicating with a child but I would love to hear from you if you think this is a worthwhile resource. This resource is offered at reduced price for a period of time to encourage you to have a go.

I am sure you will learn lots and lots from your child.