* Counting (weighing parcels and buying stamps) * Reading (the fabulous letters that come) * Writing (storytelling in their own letters) * Handwriting (developing their visual, cognitive and fine-motor skills) * Art (enclosing drawings or making mail-art) * Geography (looking at maps to see where their letters will travel) * Learning about other cultures (from international pen-pals)Ī few years ago, Mr B and I gave a bunch of envelopes to his daughter and her cousin, asking them to address them for us. The girls were about 11 years old at the time, and we had 50 envelopes to address, so we offered them some pocket money for the task. They gleefully did the job and then ran off to the shops to spend the pocket money, only for Mr B and me to discover that the envelopes were no use to us, we had to throw them out and redo them all. Teaching children about the post office reinforces all kinds of other important skills: If for this pleasure alone, teaching your children about the postal system and having someone write to them is a wonderful thing to share with them. For children, the novelty factor triples that joy and excitement. After all, you and I already know the joy of going to the letter-box and discovering something personal, and friendly, with your name on the front. Often, parents write to tell me that the letter I had sent them made their children so excited, and curious, and inspired them to send letters of their own. It's so rare these days, that sometimes people contact me to tell me that they are in their 20s and my letter was the first they had ever received.

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