How to Introduce Letter Writing to Kids

Posted by Mohit Verma on November 25th, 2020

A letter is a powerful communication tool. Email and text messaging are popular though, the good-old mail is still relevant and required. Providing information or asking for it, conveying your ideas or learning what others think, applying for a job, or complaining about something – a letter proffers it all and more. Introducing letter writing early helps the child to develop social and communication skills, besides learning how to structure letters for different purposes.    

Here’s your rundown on how to introduce kids to letter writing.  

The precursor: 

Students tend to be more receptive towards something relatable. Before discussing letter-writing, it makes sense to tell students how a letter helps them convey emotions, invite friends, and get insights into other’s lives. It is standard practice at an international Indian school. Now ask them whether they have ever received a letter. You’ll likely see a few raised hands. 

Request a volunteer to recall her emotions upon receiving the letter. A set of relevant questions should be discussed with each volunteer. Have they reread the letter? Did they respond? Is it still in their possession? Have they shared it with others? If yes, with whom? Also, instruct the volunteers to interview each other on the letter writing and receiving experience.   

The process:     

Let the process get underway with you gathering a portfolio of formal and informal letters. Now it’s time to seek student’s involvement. Ask them to sort the letters out in two separate piles, one of the formal letters, and the other for informal ones. Tell students how to identify formal and informal letters on some key parameters, such as, but not limited to:

• Whom is it written to? (friend, business associate, boss, client, company)  

• What’s the salutation? (formal or informal)  

• What’s the structure and tonality? (casual or formal)

• What’s the message? (asking for info, call to duty, sorry, thank you, congratulations) 

When arranging the letters, students would consider the parameters and develop a distinction between formal and informal letters. The difference could be the topic of an ensuing class discussion. At least, it is in any international Indian school located in India or elsewhere. Also, discuss the type of letters the students would like to write when: 

• Congratulating a friend 

• Thanking someone

• Writing to Santa Claus  

• Feeling sorry for a misdoing 

• Requesting for information

• Exchanging the latest news 

• Asking for appointment 

• Writing to banks and stores

• Writing to an offshore relative

• Conveying condolences

• Complaining about someone/something 

• Writing to publications 

The final word: 

Ask the students to tell what type of letter would suit each case. Having done that, it’s time to offer them insights on formal and informal letter writing. Discuss the style and structure of each letter type. Formal letters are written on an A4 page and require mentioning the sender’s address on the right side while the writer’s address is on the left side, just below the sender’s address. The letter should be appropriately folded to make the address appear on the envelope’s window. On the other hand, informal letters do not require you to follow such onerous rules.