Penpals: An Answer to the Socialization Question

There are better ways to socialize with other kids than to sit next to them in a classroom trying to ignore each other. As a homeschooler who frankly knows better, I will never understand why people think sitting next to each other in a classroom is a special right of passage. There are so many other ways for kids to make friends and figure out how to get along with others. One of the numerous ways for homeschoolers to make and keep friends and socialize is to have pen pals.

How does writing a letter replace sitting next to your pal in class you ask? Well, in many ways it is better than having your best friend in the next seat. Sure, it is not as cool as having your best buddy in the seat next to you as you go through your days. It does however beat the situation many students have which is having someone who constantly gives them a hard time in the next chair.

Having a pen pal creates a love of writing. Writing letters to other kids allows children to freely communicate with each other through writing. While it is done, primarily for pleasure, it helps your child to improve their writing skills. For homeschooled kids like mine, who don't want me to read their work, in case I might point out a mistake, they do allow me to look over pen pal letters to make a good impression. They will rewrite the letter a few times to get it perfect and then wait impatiently for a response so they can write another one. Many pen pals also get to practice writing in another language.

Having a pen pal teaches children about other cultures and possibly other countries. There's no better way to learn about diversity than to communicate with someone in another culture or country. Having a foreign pen pal will make your kids more than tolerant of other cultures. It will make intrigued and appreciative of differences.