When was the last time you saw the face of a child light up and glow because they got a piece of mail with their name on it? Children love to get mail. My older children have lost that spark, but my five-year-old is constantly asking if they got mail. I think special occasions are great to send mail, and usually around holidays or birthdays they know to expect it, but what would happen if mail arrived for them on an ordinary day?
Sending letters or greeting cards is a good way to foster a love of communication and writing in children. In our society, instant messaging, text messaging, and short emails have all but killed the art of good communication.
Studies indicate that the more a child reads, the smarter they are. However, it can often be difficult to get some children to read due to lack of interest. I bet there isn’t a child around that wouldn’t be interested in reading a card or letter addressed to them from someone they care about. And, of course, if a child is raised to expect that letters and greeting cards are a regular occurrence, they are more likely to become better communicators themselves.
Wouldn’t it be great to raise a child who would love to create the habit of sending cards or letters?
So take some time and send a greeting card to a child in your life. Here are just a handful of reasons you can use to send a greeting card to a child you know and help to make their day that much brighter. (If it’s your kiddo, even better!!)
- They got an A on a test or report card. Make the joy of doing well last just a little longer.
- They said, “Please.”
- It’s their birthday, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, etc. (I tend to give cards on some of these occasions, but mailing them is so much better!)
- They were well-behaved in a specific situation.
- They did something special for someone (even if it wasn’t you). It helps to foster the trait of goodwill when they get some feedback for what they have done.
- They helped with dinner.
- Just to say, “I appreciate you.” Do they really know how valuable they are to you?
- They said, “Thank you.”
- Just to say “You’re Special.”
- They did a great job on their chores. Rewards for a job well done encourage more of the same.
- Because you haven’t seen them and want them to know you miss them.
- Say thanks for being my…(son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew, friend, etc).
- They made the honor roll.
- They helped in the yard.
- Remind them of an exciting event that is coming up.
- Remind them of a neat experience you had together.
- Tell them something special about yourself.
- Tell them something special about someone you both know.
- Share a joke you just heard.
- They brought home a warm fuzzy note from the teacher.
- Just to say you love them. Do you really need any more of a reason than that?
Will you be taking just a few minutes out of your busy schedule today to foster the emotional and mental development of a child in your life? I know I will be more intentional in this simple act.
Here are some favorite places to stock up on cards to make it easy to send without a lot of planning:
- Drugstore. I gathered up a large selection of $.99 cards at my local drugstore and have them ready to mail.
- DaySpring. I love that I can buy boxed card assortments at DaySpring and they will have always have the perfect message.
- Amazon has some wonderful greeting card boxed sets too; grab a box that has free prime shipping and you are good to go!
Tell me who you are sending a card to and why!
