You Have Mail! The Value of Exchanging Letters with Children
The letter, forgotten in an age of speed, teaches children patience, effort and real communication. Read the value of exchanging letters, from a teacher's pen.
If we were asked to describe the age we live in with a single word, the first that comes to mind might be "communication". In this age where information is uploaded and dispersed within seconds, communication is everywhere before us. But is communication only the speed of exchanging information? In this article, we look at a form of communication we are beginning to forget in an age of speed: the letter, and the value of exchanging letters with children.
What Has Changed Over Time
If we observe our surroundings, we see people who have gathered together interrupting their conversations to check their mobile phones, or everyone sinking into their own world behind the little screen in their hand. We no longer value being side by side as much as we once did; we cannot even spare the time to truly listen to someone. Yet not long ago, only a few decades back, things were not like this. Technology had not yet taken people captive. When the "postman" appeared at the end of the street, people waited eagerly to see whether there was a letter from a loved one far away.
The value given to writing a letter was different: a quiet corner was sought, and it was written sincerely, as if that person were right there before you.
Writing a letter had a taste of its own. The paper was chosen with care, written over and over so it would not look crooked. Its truly beautiful side, though, was the effort put into it. To a friend who had written of their troubles, you would, with your words, pat their back and let them feel you were by their side.
The Joy of Exchanging Letters
Today children hear of the letter's existence but are hardly aware of its spirit. To let them live this beautiful feeling and gain a value they can reach concretely in the real world, we did an activity as a class. The children wrote their letters, posted them with their own hands and lived that sweet wait of wondering whether the letter had arrived. We took at least as much delight in the outcome as they did. Who knows, perhaps some among them will wish to keep exchanging letters.
In brief
- The letter is a form of communication full of effort and sincerity that we have forgotten in an age of speed.
- It teaches a child patience, waiting and forming a real bond.
- A small letter activity at home or at school leaves a lasting experience.
For your child's language and communication development, you can review our guidance unit or get in touch with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I help my child come to love writing letters?
Give them a purpose: let them write to a relative far away, a friend or an imaginary character. Waiting for a reply makes the process the most enjoyable.
What meaning does writing a letter have in the digital age?
The letter teaches slowing down, focusing and giving effort. These skills are valuable gains that fast communication leaves in the shadows.
Gökkuşağı Koleji · The value of lines written with effort.