Write a Penpal!

One really great way to not only encourage your child to write, but also to learn about other cultures and families is to let your child (or family) have a penpal! This even works if classrooms want to adopt another classroom as a penpal group! I always had penpals growing up and would be so excited to get the smallest trinkets in the mail- I even got to meet one of my penpals once! If your child (like mine) hates writing consider having him/her write letters to other children- it makes it more fun than just sitting down and writing for what they see as “no reason”. As always in the interest of safety with your children, do your research. Make sure it is a legit site, and always read your child’s mail!!

Here are a few sites that I have found where you can find penpals. I have NOT used these sites before so please check them out first!

*ePals (FREE online email pen pals; has classroom & teacher options)

*PTPI (school/classroom penpals- FREE)

*Students of the World (has the option of online or snail mail pen pals; online is free; a TON of countries)

*Friendship by Mail (cost $5)

*Amazing Kids (cost $10)