It Takes A Village… to raise a child. So, I’m asking bloggers, and in this case friends, from my village to each write a message for me to pass on to my girls. If you’d like to write one, let me know.

This week’s letter is from the matriarch of the social media scene, ex-school principal, Grandmother, carer and kind and generous soul Denyse Whelan.

Dear Girls,


I’m writing you a letter, and it’s about letter writing.


It seems people do not send letters much anymore, and this is a bit sad, because it is such fun to go to the letterbox and see if there is any mail.

I sent your mother a big letter once, and it also had some fun things for craft inside. Maybe you remember. But I bet your mum remembers the mess.

My letter was sent to your city after I placed a stamp on its envelope, to pay for the post people to send it, and then it went in a truck or it might have gone in a plane.

After that it was sorted so the Postie could deliver it to your house.

I thought I’d give you three girls my ideas for letter writing.


Step 1.

If you ever need to write a letter there are a few things you need to know.

Letters are usually hand-written.

Sometimes the paper will have lines,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

and other times there will be a blank space. Like this:

There maybe coloured paper in your favourite colour.

Do all girls like pink or do you have your own ideas?

The most important part is that there is a place for you to write.


Step 2.

You need to have words. I know that you already know words to say, and words to sing, and words to whisper.

I think the big girl is learning about words at school. Is that right?

Words keep us connected.

Sometimes one word is enough when we write it, or say it.

Yes. No. Maybe.

The best thing about words, as I am sure your mother would tell you, is that you can use lots, a few, or a number in between.

I do hope that when you are old enough to write words, and to draw pictures, that you will have fun, and send these letters to someone you know, and to someone you love.


Step 3.

You already have the paper, and the words and pictures in your head, and you need to have something to write with.

Your choice for this when you are in your early years is best to be a sharp (not too pointy!) HB pencil.

Then as you get a little older, you may use a pen. It can be one with a fine tip for best effect.

 At school you will have handwriting lessons, and you will need to practise with a pencil for years before you are granted a ‘pen licence’.



Step 4.

This is where you girls get to put your thinking caps on as you get older.

Why send a letter? Who would like a letter sent from you? What will I say?

I hope you enjoy reading this letter, and it helps you write letters as you grow up.  It is a great idea to start looking at letters that come in your letterbox too. There just might be another one from me soon.


Thank you girls for reading my letter,


Love from,

Denyse


 

Denyse Whelan has been a teacher and a school principal and loves kids! She has 6 grandchildren aged from 3 months to 15 years old. In her retirement years, Denyse discovered Twitter (@denwise1) and then found blogging. With her knowledge of schooling and education, combined with a love of kids and family, she writes about school days, her life as a principal, and being ‘Grandma’. Recently Denyse told her story about how she came to blogging, as part of the Digital Parents Conference in Melbourne. As an Education Specialist, Denyse is providing consultation services to local pre schools and families in NSW. Retirement is not about retiring from life, it’s about getting into it, and she is now teaching a technology class for seniors called “become tech-savvy’.