All About Me
Pen pal fun
July 06, 2009
"I hope your letters never stop!"--Sloan
Now that my daughter is confidently writing (and the signs of that are evident in the 3457 beginnings of Great American novels scattered all through the house), I thought it would be fun for her to have a pen pal to communicate with. (I hooked up with a pen pal from Greece when I was in 6th grade and we faithfully wrote each other all the way up to senior year of high school.) Eventually, I think we'll search out penpals from other countries, like on the Students of the World website but for now, we're starting out with a child of a mama blogger friend of mine.
The girls write back and forth, asking each other questions about pets and likes/dislikes, and of course, lots and lots of artwork exchanged! You can incorporate all kinds of fun activities during the span of their friendship, like shared art projects or stories (one person starts an picture/adventure and then mails it to the other for the conclusion) photo diaries of their daily life, even clothing swaps. If you want to get fancy, your child can record themselves talking to their pen friend, or better yet,vlogging (video blogging).
You may find penpals in your extended family, maybe cousins would like to write to each other, or friends you only see a few times per year when traveling. Sometimes teachers help to facilitate match-ups, or there are a few websites devoted to connecting kids. (you can usually sort by age/location/interests). If your child has a disability or chronic health condition, maybe a penpal with a similar situation can lend support? Church groups may also be a resource. Sometimes children's magazines have a section devoted to finding letter writing buddies.
Sure, it's quicker to communicate via email, but it's way more exciting to actually receive a real, physical letter (remember those?) that has been decorated and labored over. Your child can have fun designing their own stationery, or crafting their own stamps (for decoration). Make a collaged postcard that teaches your pen friend about the city you live in, or a play-doh model of your room. Organize a book trade!
As always, parents need to supervise and monitor their child's correspondence for safety. So break out that special Snoopy writing paper, sharpen your pencils, and help your children forge a fun new friendship!
Let's talk about... ok, let's let the book talk about it
November 20, 2008
I know my six-year-old knows about sex. He's sure that, when two people get somewhat naked and start kissing, that's sex. (Pretty much the way every sex scene on TV has ever gone, hmmm? We've instituted a "no more adult TV shows while children are awake" ban in my house.) We'll explain to him in time, but it's not really him I'm worried about -- it's my three-year-old, who occasionally overhears Read more...
Hello, Portland, it's me, Sarah Gilbert
October 16, 2008
I was born in Portland, a characteristic uncommon among mothers of young children in 2008. In late September 2001, I moved back to Portland after spending 10 years, and all of my adult life, in various cities on the East Coast. I got my BA from Washington & Lee University, a conservative liberal arts school where Robert E. Lee -- and his horse, Traveller -- were both buried. After a few Read more...
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