Saying thank you can be a struggle with little ones, but it’s important that they both learn that good manners matter and that they start to wrap their minds around the idea of gratitude. Nothing warms the heart more than a happy, appreciative child. According to WiseGeek.net<\/a>, “Most child development experts agree that children can begin to understand the importance of thank you notes at about three years of age.” As the Emily Post website<\/a> says, “It is never wrong to send a written thank you” and that is true of even the tiniest gift recipients.<\/p>\n Thank you note writing tips for children may seem like a bit much, but starting note writing early can have numerous benefits. Those benefits include: making it a routine that they are used to (which will make getting them to write notes easier down the road. Maybe not exactly easy, but easier when it’s something they’ve always done); practice of fine motor skills, be it coloring a picture or scribbling their name; handwriting practice with a purpose; and it’s a great way to practice spelling, grammar, sentence structure and all those important lessons they’re learning in school and now they can see the practical application.<\/p>\n Here are six thank you note writing tips for children.<\/p>\n Take a picture of your child with the gift<\/strong><\/p>\n One idea for littler ones not quite writing yet would be to make a sign that says “Thank you” and take a photo of the kids holding it up with their gifts, then print the photo and send that to the giver. If you print it on regular typing paper and keep it small in size (maybe 4×6), your daughter will have plenty room to write her name underneath and maybe a picture, too, if the artistic spirit moves her.<\/p>\n If they’re up for coloring, have your child color a picture of himself or herself with the gift. These are always sweet.<\/p>\n Let your little one dictate a thank you note <\/strong> Fill in the blanks on a pre-printed card.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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\nI love the idea of having her dictate to you. You could have a fill-in-the-blank script of “Thank you for the _______. I love it because ________.” (I think 2 sentences is enough for a 4 yr old! Maybe next year you could add in “I hope your new year is _____.”)<\/p>\n