Post Age Kids
I actually wrote to someone yesterday. Yes, wrote, with a pen, on paper, folded it and put it in an envelope. My children, 14, 12 and 8 were fascinated.
"So how does she get to read that, Daddy? I mean, she's like miles away..."
"I post it"
"What, like on a blog?"
"No. In a post box."
"Oh, like e-mail used to have - an outbox?"
"No. A real, bright red post box, mail box, letter box - there's one a long the road. I'll show you."
"You mean people still use them?"
"Yes. Come along and see."
That involved walking, something else they weren't very familiar with but this had got them interested.
"So you just put it in that hole?" one asked.
"Yes, but, ah, hang on...I need a stamp. I'll have to buy one."
"You mean you have to pay to send mail this way?"
"Er, yes."
"Why?"
I explained about the collection, the sorting, the transport and the delivery thing.
"That's crazy. Send a text or e-mail for free. And she'll get it like a second after you send it."
"True. But you need post for things like birthday cards..."
"Only from Grandma. Everyone else uses Moonpig or something."
"Presents. You can't text a new DVD or bike can you?"
"Don't be silly, Daddy. We get them on-line. Amazon and those people even wrap it nicely for free sometimes."
As we wandered back, the youngest spotted a telephone box.
"What's that?" he asked.
"It's a place to make calls to people..." I began.
"I expect you had to buy stamps for that too."
"Something like that, yes."
Back home, I watched as the three downloaded the videos they'd made of the trip, annotated it with our conversation, added a title and credits then published it on a web page. Thumbs pattered as they sent messages to friends with the link to the completed masterpiece, including a nice instrumental track, a few minutes later.
"You'll need to translate that for your Japanese friend one reminded another."
"No problem! Don't need stamps for that either!" he said, adding "Was anything free in your day, Daddy?"
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