Parent notes
A little note for someone far away
By Carrie 5 min read
A drawing and a few words your child chooses can become a note for someone far away. A practical family idea, with two illustrated steps.
Sometimes a grandparent or cousin lives too far away for an ordinary afternoon visit. A small note gives your child something of their own to share. It can be a drawing with a few words you write underneath, rather than a card that takes all morning to make.
For Malaysian families with relatives in another state or overseas, try keeping the invitation simple: choose one person and something your child wants to tell them. A note about today's rain can be enough.
Choose someone, then a message
Start with the person, not the spelling. Ask who your child would like to send a note to. Then ask what they want that person to know. They might choose a favourite toy, a flower they noticed or a hello.
Put plain paper and crayons on the table. Let your child decide whether to draw, make marks or add letters. Raising Children Network recommends letting children choose what to draw or write and talking with them about their work. You can ask them to tell you about the picture without guessing its meaning.
A note can begin with a picture and something to say.
Write their words beside the picture
Ask before adding your writing. Offer to write down the message your child tells you. Keep their words, including the surprising bits, and read them back. NAEYC recommends taking children's dictation and reading it aloud afterwards.
There is no need to turn this into a test. If your child wants to add their own marks or name, leave room. You can do the address and explain who will read the note. NAEYC also suggests talking about everyday writing while children watch.
Use your family's familiar language. A greeting can be in Bahasa Malaysia, English or Chinese, according to the person receiving it. Ask your child which greeting they want. Keep it as a family message, with no requirement to copy a sentence neatly.
Give the note somewhere to go
Fold it into an envelope if you plan to post it. If a visit is coming, keep it ready to hand over. A photograph sent privately by an adult is another option; NAEYC suggests sharing children's writing with grandparents this way.
Finish with a real person who can receive the message.
Let one small note be enough. Stop when your child is done. If a reply arrives, read it together. The next note can wait until they have something else to share.
Who would enjoy a little message from your child? Share your family note idea with the Boo & Bub community.
Sources and visual reference
Background reading: NAEYC: Support writing at home; Raising Children Network: Drawing and writing activities.
Visual reference only: NAEYC's parent-and-child writing photograph, from the first source above. The photograph is not reproduced. All three illustrations are original.
