Letter-writing is becoming a lost art according to many experts. About 70 percent of children write thank-you notes but don’t actually write letters. Most child development specialists believe that letter-writing is an important part of learning to read, write and communicate. It’s much different to put your thoughts on a piece of paper than in a blog, an email or a Twitter post. A letter is very personal and to a specific person. A social media post is more general and very short. Emails can be erased and rewritten. Letters are a tangible element. People save letters for generations. In many of our grandparents’ attics, we’ve found stacks of letters written by two people separated by space and time. These letters kept the family together during the war or a long business trip.
Why Make Your Child Write Letters?
When your child writes a letter to a loved one, your son or daughter learns much more than you might think. Obviously, letter-writing is the practical application of grammar, penmanship and spelling. Putting thoughts on paper is much more difficult than we realize. Most people have to write business letters in the course of their jobs. Students must write letters to a college application committee or scholarship committee. Having the skill to put together a casual letter to grandma or grandpa transfers to outlining a term paper and creating business communications.
Letter-writing is a way to develop special bonds between two people. It’s easy to text or make a phone call. Letters are treasured. We can go back to a letter and reread it. When writing a letter, you have to go beyond superficial communication. It’s not about small talk, such as the weather or the food. It’s about memories and ideas that are shared to create a special bond.
Letter-writing builds self-esteem in children. As penmanship improves, so does a child’s confidence. Spelling test scores improve when children use the words they learn in school. Letters are a way to bridge the cultural or generation gap. Most children today have never been without their phones, but people who grew up in the 1960s, 70s and 80s experienced something much different. Sharing those differences through letters helps a child see more diversity in the world.
Letter Writing Benefits the Writer
The recipient isn’t the only person who benefits from letter-writing. You, as the writer, also get something out of the practice.
- You have to reflect on what you want to say. You pause and meditate on what’s important to you.
- It’s a thoughtful practice in communication. The other person isn’t there to give you feedback.
- When writing a letter on paper, you can’t just go back and erase a sentence (unless you use pencil). It’s much different than electronic writing.
- You have to express your feelings differently than you would online. There are no emojis to use instead of words.
- Writing a letter gets you away from the screen and television.
- Writing on paper allows you to use pretty stationery.
Actually, we should encourage letter-writing, not make it mandatory. Do you like to do something you’re forced to do?
New Year’s Day is coming up, and most of us are thinking about making resolutions for change. This year, think about bringing back the lost art of letter-writing. Bring your family closer together through words. Make a decision to write 12 letters this year to a special person. Give someone the excitement of receiving mail in the mailbox. It would be a rare gift in today’s technological age. Even if your grandson or granddaughter doesn’t respond back through a letter, you’ll have given that person a look into your life. You can build on that information over ice cream when you do get together.