I absolutely love to receive mail... in fact I get excited every time I see the postal delivery truck at the end of my driveway! I also love to send mail and I'm doing my best to pass that joy on to my kids. For as long as I can remember, I've tasked them with writing letters in the summer time. Here's are my top reasons why this is a great practice for children...
Keep those writing skills up
Letter writing is a fun way to keep up their handwriting, spelling, grammar and creativity. All those skills they use in school can easily fade during the summer months and writing a letter keeps them in practice. Before my kids could write, I had them draw pictures to mail to others. Whatever their skill level, put it to use.
Be a blessing to friends and family
My kids have three great grandparents who are still living and they are all out of state. They are always thrilled to get a letter from the kids. We also write to other relatives near and far, as well as friends. My daughter actually has a friend from preschool who moved away several years ago... they still exchange letters now and then and it's so fun to see that friendship endure through elementary school.
Give and you will recieve
Once you start mailing letters out... you'll see letters start to come back to you! It's a joy when the recipients of our letters return the favor. My children are always overjoyed to see something addressed to them in our mailbox.
Preserve a charming part of the past
I love to text as much as the next person, but you can never replace the delight of a handwritten note. In a world of "LOL" I want my kids to know how to write someone a meaningful letter or card. Our summer letters are my way of keeping the fading tradition of snail mail alive in our family and for others.
I encourage you to pick up some stamps, print out some addresses of those you love, and get your kids writing. They'll soon be racing to the mailbox awaiting those sweet replies!