My daughter always loved writing. Her notebooks were filled with doodles, short poems, and diary entries — but she’d freeze when asked to read anything aloud. After joining PlanetSpark, her teacher suggested a “Speaking Journal.” Instead of writing, she would record daily 2-minute voice messages on everyday topics. I thought it was clever but wasn’t sure she’d stick with it.

Week 1: Her first attempt was about our dog, Max. Just 20 seconds long, barely audible. She hated her voice. But her teacher praised her effort, not the outcome — and that made a difference.

Week 2: She started opening up. One entry was about her best friend moving away — emotional, personal, and heartfelt. Her teacher offered feedback on tone and structure. She felt heard.

Week 3: The journal turned into a confidence booster. She added intro hooks, voice modulation, and even punchlines. She titled entries like “My Worst Haircut” or “Things I’d Ban If I Were President.” Her creativity exploded.

Week 4: She used one journal entry to prepare for a storytelling contest in school. She didn’t win, but stood up confidently in front of 30 classmates and delivered her story with poise.

Bonus: She now guides her younger cousin in making his own speaking journal. Our home is filled with mini recordings, laughter, and voiceovers.

Final Thought: I used to think journaling was solitary. But PlanetSpark turned it into a shared, vocal, and empowering experience. My daughter isn’t just learning to speak — she’s learning to be heard.