The note
How schools teach it now
Schools teach the layout of a letter: the writer's address and date at the top right, a greeting ('Dear Gran,'), paragraphs for each piece of news, and a friendly sign-off ('Love from'). Informal letters use a chatty tone and questions for the reader, but still need full sentences.
5-minute kitchen-table activity
Write a real letter or postcard to a relative together. Your child plans three paragraphs: news, a question for the reader and something to look forward to. Post it. A reply is the best encouragement, and the layout soon sticks.
Worked example
Write the opening of a letter to your cousin about your summer holiday.
- Address and date at the top, then 'Dear Leo,'.
- First paragraph: a friendly opener and why you're writing.
- Then news paragraphs, a question for Leo, and a sign-off such as 'Love from'.
Answer: Dear Leo, I hope you're well and still beating everyone at football! I had to write and tell you about the most chaotic camping trip ever...
Common mistakes to watch for
- Forgetting to write to the reader: no questions, no 'you'.
- Missing the greeting or sign-off, or using a formal one like 'Yours faithfully'.
- One long paragraph instead of a paragraph for each piece of news.
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Your cousin would love that bit. What might they ask you back?”
- Rather than
- “Nobody writes letters any more.”