How to write a daily journal an easy way ?

When you just started working in childcare as an educator, you may notice other educators using iPads and writing during the children's nap time. They are most likely writing the daily journal (99%).

The daily journal in childcare is similar to the daily diary that parents see, which outlines what happened in daycare, the activities the children participated in, and what their child did that day. It includes photos and articles.

The specific format and content of the daily journal may vary from one childcare center to another, but there is usually a common pattern. Once you become accustomed to the pattern, writing a journal every day becomes much easier. Since there are usually more than two educators in one room, unless it's a special occasion, you will typically write a journal entry a maximum of three times a week or only once a week (assuming you work five days a week in childcare).

Here is a suggested sequence for writing the daily journal:

-Title
-Meal
-Greeting
-Biggest event of the day
-Morning routine
-Afternoon activities
-Closing

I will provide an example of a daily journal based on that sequence and share some tips how to write a daily journal easily

Examples)

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Title

Children's Room Daily Journal - 2nd of July 2023

Today's Meal 
Morning tea: Toasted bread with vegetable sticks and seasonal fruit
Lunch: Creamy chicken pasta
Afternoon tea: Beetroot chocolate cake with fruits

Greeting
Good morning, little ones! We hope you had a wonderful night's sleep and are ready for an exciting day ahead.

Biggest event of the day
Today, we had a special Montessori activity where we learned about cleanliness and responsibility. We cleaned the windows together using spray bottles and squeegees. The children enjoyed being little helpers and taking care of their environment.

Morning routine
After breakfast, we started our day with a circle time filled with songs, rhymes, and interactive games. This helped us develop our language and communication skills while having fun together.

Afternoon activities
In the outdoor play area, we had a blast exploring different activities. We took turns swinging on the swings, sliding down the slide, and playing in the sand. We also enjoyed reading books together under the shade of a tree. Later, we engaged in imaginative play using construction cushions and rode vehicles around the play area, enhancing our gross motor skills.

Self-hygiene education
We took some time to learn about self hygiene today. We practiced washing our hands properly, using soap and water, to keep ourselves healthy. We also learned to cover our mouths when we felt a sneeze coming on, as it helps prevent the spread of germs.

Indoor activities
Inside the classroom, we had a fantastic time engaging in various activities. We explored different musical instruments, creating our own melodies and rhythm. We also enjoyed reading books together, solving puzzles, and role-playing in the toy kitchen area, where we pretended to cook delicious meals for our friends.

Artistic exploration
To develop our fine motor skills and creativity, we worked on drawing lines and shapes using colorful crayons on sheets of paper. The children showed great enthusiasm and joy as they proudly displayed their artwork.

Closing
As the day came to an end, we gathered together for a relaxing storytime session. We read a delightful story about ' The very hungry Caterpillar' that sparked our imaginations and encouraged a love for reading. We then bid farewell to our friends, looking forward to more fun adventures tomorrow.

Remember to have a restful evening and see you all bright and early tomorrow!

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It may appear very simple, but when you add more photos of each individual child and group photos as well, it becomes much more complete and eye-catching.

The most important thing when documenting activities for the day is to take good photos.

As a mother myself, I only check my child's photo. I don't care about what the educator wrote in the daily journal unless the educator mentions my child's name for a specific reason (hahahaha).

Here are some tips to improve your daily journal from both an educator's and a mother's perspective:

Tip 1: Take as many photos as you can and write the journal based on those photos, 

following the given sequence.

Tip 2: Create your own routine for journal writing format.

 That way, when you need to write something, 

you can simply copy and paste the format, add photos, 

and include additional details specific to the activity.

Tip 3: There are always better articles and journals out there. 

You probably have access to all the journals in your center. 

Read and keep the good sentences or structures that you want to include.

Copy and paste them, then add your own personal touch.

Tip 4: Please take photos with the child's full face visible,

 if possible with a smile. Avoid taking photos from behind

(where only the back of the child's head is visible),

group photos (individual or photos of 2-3 children are ideal),

or photos where only the educator's face is visible and not all the children.

 

Parents are only interested in their own child's photos, not the educator's face.

Tip 5: Video is better than photos, Photos are better than articles!

Good luck with your journey in childcare as an educator,

and I hope you have less stress when it comes to writing a daily journal amidst your busy work!