Pen Pals - Start Your Child or Grandchild Out Young

Having written to pen pals since before I was 10 years old, and continuing to write to them non-stop for 60 years, I am a strong advocate for the benefits of pen pals starting with young children.

Oh, the fun of getting a letter in the mail!!! Just think about another child of the same age writing about their activities, family, hometown, hobbies, pets, sports, school days, etc. and then your own child or grandchild being able to reply about their own life!

With "snail mail" the child can also include all types of "tuck-ins" to make the letter even more interesting: stickers, blank stationery for the recipient to reply on, newspaper articles about their hometown or sporting or holiday activities, small items having to do with the pal's hobbies, bookmarks, small handcrafted gifts - whatever will fit in an envelope!!!

There are many print magazines for young children, but I could not tell which of them might have pen pal pages.

Of course these days some children may prefer to have pals online. Researching that possibility, the best girls-only worldwide Epal Club for ages 7-17 that I found is only $12.00 a year (which also stresses online safety for the members). I discovered several others for $20.00 or $25.00 a year. You could give your child or grandchild a birthday or Christmas gift of a year of happy writing!!

These sources would help you steer your child or grandchild in the right direction for being a part of the wonder of pen pals.

The many benefits to letter writing include giving the child a chance to practice their penmanship or keyboard typing, encourages the correct use of grammar and punctuation, requires proper use of spelling and not the texting shortening of words (which I think is the worst thing that could happen to today's students when it comes to English usage), etc.

The child can have nearby pen pals or ones from other parts of the world, which gives them a chance to refer to their globe or maps and learn so much about other countries and their unique customs. I've always been fascinated with the different words the people from England use for many common items, for instance!!

Children exchanging "mail" about their lives is a unique and fun way to learn more about how other youngsters think, act, celebrate holidays, school subjects and activities, perhaps have unusual pets or hobbies, etc.

What a learning experience!!!!