What’s so special about receiving a handwritten letter?.Pen pals are always popular, giving insights into other children’s lives, especially overseas.Children can write letters to friends and relatives.It encourages good manners, especially writing ‘thank you’ letters.Letter writing has many purposes, including the following: Writing letters encourages good social skills, learning to say thank you and asking for information politely.

Writing imaginary letters to historical people can encourage understanding of a historical period or topic.

Visits to museums or farms prompt thank you letters, for example contacting schools in other countries and exchanging letters links into geography. Letter writing can be included in a school’s curriculum.