A comment from Lynn on my facebook status has prompted me to write about a topic I was considering tackling anyway: thank you notes. I admit, I have slipped and forgotten to write a thank you note here and there when I really should have. But, overall, I try to make thank you notes a priority...for myself, and my kids. Here are a few ideas to try when writing thank you notes with young children. I have used each of these at various times over the years.
- Use photos. Take a picture of your child holding the gift. Tape it to the inside of a blank card. Let your child decorate the rest of the card.
- Let your child write the words "Thank you" at the top of a note card. Then you write the rest of the note as you ask for help in what to say about the gift. After the message is written, let the child write their name at the bottom.
- Ask your child to draw a picture of the gift, or a self-portrait. Send it along with the thank you note you write to the gift-giver.
- Let your child help choose cute note cards, or buy them on your own with your child in mind. Once I found fairy note cards on which the fairy had curly hair just like Ava. I have also bought her cards with the initial "A." She likes having her own stationary.
I try to get my kids as involved as possible with the thank you note writing. If they can only draw, then that is what they contribute. But, if they can write a few words, I incorporate that on the card. In Ava's case, she can write the entire thing herself if I help her spell words and remind her to keep her print small enough to fit on the card. Their favorite part, however, is putting on the stamps and return address stickers. It's actually a fun process. Nate couldn't wait to write thank you notes this morning for his birthday gifts.
1 comment:
Becky,
What great ideas. Maybe it's because I have brothers that they did not teach their children this expression of gratitude?? My sister's daughter is the only one that ever says thankyou. My oldest nephew is 33 and youngest neice is 18, so if they haven't learned it by now they probably aren't going to??? It's not that you give a gift to get a thank you but it is just a nice courtesy, especially when things are mailed long distance to even let you know they arrived. But more importantly I do think you are showing Nate,Ava, and Lucas to express gratitude and that will enhance their ability to say thank you to God as well :)
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