Writing a Proper Letter (And How to Get Your Kids to Do It)

By Laura Wallis for The Stir by CafeMom

Letter writing is practically a lost art in these days of email, texting, and slap-dash Facebook messages. But it’s worth practicing. For kids especially, writing a letter means sitting down and really thinking about their words; practicing handwriting and spelling without the aid of a computer spell-checker; and learning patience—once you mail off your letter it can take days, maybe even weeks, for news to return. There’s a certain romance to it all, at any age.

And of course, as they get older, your kids will need the practical skill of letter writing. They’ll be applying to schools, for jobs, for scholarships. Here are some ways to get them in the habit now.

Get a Pen Pal

My nine-year-old son has a pen pal—not an email buddy but a real-life, pen-to-paper, stamps and snail-mail pen pal. This came about after our recent move to the burbs, which happened to coincide with one of his very best buddies relocating in the other direction. They decided to keep in touch the old fashioned way, by writing letters. And it’s awesome.

A pen pal can be an old family friend or someone your child has never met before. Connect with someone in the next town or on the other side of the world. You can use relatives or friends to make connections or try one of the countless websites (with parental supervision) created for this purpose. You don’t need a formal style or fancy stationery—but have your kid practice the basic letter writing form. Put a date at the top for reference and posterity. Use a friendly salutation. Sign off with affection or humor. Add a postscript (PS) to include afterthoughts. Write the return address clearly to ensure a properly delivered response!

Enter a Contest

Almost every contest for kids can be entered online these days—whether it’s trying for a guest commentator spot for a favorite baseball team or entering to win a trip to an amusement park—but most all of them also offer a snail mail option. Why not take them up on it? Formality level is low, just be sure kids follow the directions listed in the contest rules and provide whatever information is required. And remind them to always check with parents before dropping anything into the mailbox.

Speak Out for a Cause

Most elementary schools have covered persuasive writing by about second grade. Letter writing is a great way to reinforce those skills. Maybe your child is concerned about the environment and wants to write to her congressperson. Or maybe the local diner took his favorite dessert off the menu and he wants to plead his case with the owner. Writing a persuasive letter is great practice in crafting concise arguments and offering potential solutions, and it can be empowering—especially since kids often get responses.

The format should be more formal than writing to a friend or relative. It can be typed or handwritten as long as it’s neat. Have kids try to find the name of the person they are writing to, rather than using a generic “to whom it may concern.” And be sure they include a return address at the top of the page so the recipient can respond, even if the envelope gets discarded.

Reach Out to Another Generation

Sure, talking to Grandma on the phone every week or so is fine, if awkward. But if you really want kids to connect with older relatives who live a distance away, try having them write letters. They’ll have time to get their thoughts out without pressure or the distractions that often derail phone conversations, and they might end up learning things about their loved ones they never knew!

Letters to older relatives or friends don’t need to be formal at all. Postcards work as well as paper letters—but with envelopes kids can easily tuck in a drawing or another memento. And then wait to see what surprises they get in return!

Be a Fan

Maybe your little girl adores President Obama. Or your son is convinced he’s going to be the next Daniel Murphy. Why not suggest a letter of appreciation? Celebrities and politicians are inundated with email messages, letters, and postcards, but a surprising number actually do read what they receive and respond. Even the president reads a number of personal letters that have caught the eye of his staff every day.

Fan letters really don’t have to follow any rules. Kids can get creative with the ink they use and the paper they write on—whatever they think will make their message memorable. Getting responses from their favorite people in the world might just be thrill enough to turn them into lifelong letter writers.

 

Laura Wallis is a freelance writer and editor specializing in all things family, home, food, and health. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and dog—none of whom take grammar as seriously as they should. She writes for The Stir by CafeMom.

from Grammarly Blog
http://www.grammarly.com/blog/2015/writing-a-proper-letter-and-how-to-get-your-kids-to-do-it/