I wonder if you can remember receiving a piece of mail as a child. I imagine you can still remember who sent it. Or perhaps the excitement and joy you felt when you opened the letter or parcel, knowing it was posted with you in mind! Yes, there is something very special about receiving something personal in the mail.

Unfortunately, snail mail is no longer as popular now as it once was. Children very rarely received letters addressed to themselves and if they are encouraged to write letters for school they are frequently sent as emails. That sense of love, acknowledgement and affirmation that used to come with letters and cards is less likely to be part of our children’s experience than it was in our own. But there are three good reasons why it might be worth encouraging the child in your life to take up a sheet of paper, or make a card, and send someone a good old-fashioned letter:

1. Writing letters is great for developing authentic literacy skills.
Writing letters, or sending someone a card, puts the technical literacy skills a child is learning into practice with a very real audience. Letters can include recounts of recent events, questions for the recipient and practice authentic punctuation, grammar and handwriting skills. Receiving a letter in reply also offers relevant and realistic reading practice! (Which is much better than a dull home reader.)

2. Letter writing encourages empathy
When we sit down to write to someone else we must naturally consider who that person is: their interests, questions we could ask, how they might be faring etc. This process allows us to step beyond ourselves and consider the needs of others, fostering empathy and compassion. When we receive letters written in this way, we feel recognised and validated. Being able to send and receive letters allows a child practical ways to experience both the giving and receiving ends of empathy.

3. Writing letters often results in receiving letters!
When we encourage children to write letters to others, we increase the likelihood of their receiving letters in return! Sometimes it’s our own letter to them that might start this sequence. Sometimes we’re the one to encourage a letter to be written to someone else. Think carefully about who you might involve in this letter writing process. A long distant grandparent may be interested, or a family friend. Perhaps a missionary family with children the same age as your own. If you are sending letters to a child, pray for them as you write. Ask age relevant questions, encourage their spiritual development and celebrate the unique person they are. Never underestimate the power of the words you might write.

Writing and receiving letters can be a great encouragement for children of all ages. And this is especially true when life feels unexpected, or full of difficult or unsettling events. Which child in your life could you encourage with a letter or card this week? Or how might you assist a child to reach out and encourage someone else via a written letter or card during these uncertain times?

by Penny Reeve