Remember what a big deal it was for your child to start kindergarten? As elementary school comes to an end, it’s important for kids to take the time to reflect on their experience. Looking through photos, reminiscing about each year of elementary school, and talking through memories will help your child process their feelings about this milestone and prepare for the transition into middle school.
Here’s how to create a memory book using paper, pencil or pen, printed photos, and more. The sky’s the limit in terms of materials and formats. A digital version could be just as meaningful and creative.
What you’ll need:
- Paper or a bound notebook
- Pen or pencil
- School photos and other photos taken during elementary school
- Art supplies for drawing or painting
- Tape or glue
- Any paper souvenirs or mementos
- Stickers, gems, or other decorative items to stick or glue on
- Stapler and staples OR a three-hole punch and yarn or a three-ring binder
Here’s how to do it:
To get started, have your child think through these questions about each year of elementary school. Use these questions as a way to prompt your child’s thoughts and memories about each year and see what your child feels should be included in their memory book. Then, your child can use writing, drawing, photos, and arts and crafts to create one or more pages devoted to memories of each year of elementary school.
Kindergarten
- What’s your favorite memory of kindergarten?
- Who was your teacher?
1st grade
- Who were your friends in 1st grade?
- What was something that you remember being difficult to learn?
2nd grade
- What was your favorite game to play at recess in 2nd grade?
- Can you remember the first chapter book you read?
3rd grade
- What big project did you do in 3rd grade?
- When you were in 3rd grade, what did you want to be when you grew up?
4th grade
- Did you go on any memorable field trips in 4th grade? Where did you go?
- What is the nicest thing your teacher told you in 4th grade?
5th grade
- Who were your favorite friends in 5th grade?
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Now create a page or pages dedicated to each school year. Your child can write their memories and observations, surrounded by photos, drawings, doodles, and decorations as desired.
