In our tech-driven world of constant communication, letter writing has gradually faded away. For centuries, people wrote letters to one another as a means of staying in touch, delivering crucial information or simply sharing the joys and heartaches of life. Although we now have the ability to instantly send messages to one another through various digital platforms, there are so many benefits to giving and receiving hand-written notes.
The benefits of letter writing cannot be replicated through a screen.
The feel of holding a letter in our hands coupled with the unique penmanship of someone’s handwriting, creates a more personal and meaningful connection. As mothers, we can ensure that the art of letter writing isn’t completely lost.
It takes a different kind of patience to write a note by hand, to think about what to write and how to write it. There’s a deeper level of thoughtfulness provided by letter writing that isn’t necessary when you’re sending a text. We can teach our children to appreciate the time and effort it takes to hand-write a note.
This even includes how to correctly address an envelope, a skill that may seem trivial but is actually a good piece of knowledge. Knowing where the sender’s address belongs, where the recipient’s address should go, and where to place the stamp are all basic facts that are not widely known by most younger generations.
Plus, we can witness the joy on our child’s face when they find a letter addressed to them in the mailbox. It’s especially exciting because they’ve had to exercise patience as they waited days, weeks or even months for its arrival.
Implementing regular letter-writing activities into your family routine can give your children a practical way to refine handwriting skills, a unique opportunity to build relationships with grandparents or friends and the chance to learn the value of gratitude by sending a thank you card to someone.
Writing a letter can also be a wonderful tool for children to express their feelings without the pressure of speaking to someone face-to-face.
Whether your child has an argument with a friend or there’s a day when siblings just can’t get along, learning to share how they feel through written words is a key part of healthy communication. It gives them the chance to step away from a situation, slow down, and think rationally about how they’re feeling and what they’d like to say.
This process not only fosters self-reflection but also helps children articulate their thoughts, making it easier for them to navigate all kinds of relationships in the future.
You have the opportunity to guide them through this learning process, encouraging empathy and understanding while reinforcing the importance of expressing themselves respectfully and effectively. You may even find that you’d like to practice letter writing yourself!
So, take the time to write a letter. Not only is letter writing an almost-forgotten art – it’s a fun activity and a great way to help your children develop vital skills that will benefit them throughout their life.
Helpful Ideas for Successful Letter Writing
- Read books about writing letters, such as:
- The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
- The Post Office Book: Mail and How it Moves by Gail Gibbons
- Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James
- Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
- Curious George Says Thank You Book and Stationary Kit by H. A. Rey
- Friendly Letter Writing with “The Jolly Postman”: Creative activities that teach friendly letter writing…” by ABC Schoolhouse
- Gather paper and stationary supplies. Many of these items can be thrifted or found at local hobby/general stores. Keep it simple and interesting. A small, clear bin or basket is helpful for storage.
- Lined paper or index cards
- Blank paper
- Scrapbook/Construction paper
- Stickers
- Pencils, pens or markers
- Be sure to have envelopes and stamps.
- Before your child writes on their paper, make sure it fits into the envelope you’re using – cut the paper to size, if needed.
- The post office often carries various stamp designs – allow your child or children to choose their own stamps, if possible.
- Tips for Different Ages/Abilities:
- For younger children or struggling writers, have them start by writing a short letter to a friend or family member (one sentence even). If there are multiple grandparents/recipients they want to send the same letter to, simply make copies of it at your local library or with a printer/scanner at home.
- For older children, encourage them to write a letter to a pen pal or a friend who’s moved away – rather than texting. They can send stickers or drawings to each other or play an ongoing game of tic-tac-toe. There are also nature exchange programs which are a fun way for kids to safely share with/learn from children in other parts of the world.
- For children and teens who truly enjoy writing and would like other opportunities, there are programs that focus on sending hand-written letters to the elderly, first responders, military or other members of the community. Many of these options are found near the holidays but some are year-round.
momentous MOTHERHOOD 