Dear Pen Pal,

While the art of sending letters has faded, I hope the intent behind them has not. Upon writing this, I talked with an older adult in the community who still sends cards and handwrites notes for birthdays, holidays, and other special events. When asked why she still does this, she excitedly shared, “It feels personal. Back then, it was our only way of communicating long distance, it forced us to have conversations and share things that had been on our minds for a while. It helped us stay connected as a family and with friends.” 

Not only is letter writing a great way to stay in touch with loved ones and a special way to show how much we care, there are many other benefits to writing letters that are often overlooked in today’s moving-at-lightspeed pace. One thing that letter writing teaches is the ability to slow down. In a world where everything and everyone is moving, it is an excellent reminder to take your time. Second, letter writing is a more memorable way to reach the recipient. It shows that someone cared enough to write how they feel, and not just allow someone else to speak for them. 

According to an article in parentcircle.com, there are three key ways in which letter writing is still valuable in a world immersed in technology. These include written documentation, instant attention, and official communication. So, how might a student benefit? The article further discusses how letter writing for students can help with improving handwriting, strengthening language, encouraging creative expression, and processing information, making it easier to commit to memory.