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“Dear Mannered Me” Penpal Circle

A beautiful way to teach etiquette through conversation decorum, social decorum, connection, reduce screen usage, and the joy of the written word, one letter at a time.

"A letter of advice to a child would of course demand an entirely different style from that written by a young lady to a friend or relative in life; yet the general rule, 'write as you would converse,' applies to each and every case."

— Florence Hartley
(author of "THE LADIES' BOOK OF ETIQUETTE, AND MANUAL OF POLITENESS)

Penpal Subscription $15 / Month

— Florence Hartley
(author of "THE LADIES' BOOK OF ETIQUETTE, AND MANUAL OF POLITENESS)

💌 Why Letter Writing?

In a digital age, few things feel as warm as a handwritten note.

But letter writing is more than nostalgic, it’s foundational.

💻 Screen Usage Dangers:

“High screen time is associated with poorer social skills development in young children… children with high screen time were often less engaged in face‑to‑face interactions and displayed more difficulties in collaborative tasks.” - 🌍 International Journal of Academic Medicine and Pharmacy
“Excessive screen usage has detrimental effects on social and emotional growth… It can obstruct the ability to interpret emotions, fuel aggressive conduct, and harm one’s psychological health in general.” - 🏥 PubMed
“Higher screen use could exacerbate aggression, anxiety, attention difficulties and depression – in turn driving children to turn to screens as a coping mechanism.” - 👨‍🎓 UQAU

✍ National Literacy Trust reports:

1 in 5 children said that writing made them feel connected to the world.
Letter writing was an outlet for their creativity (66.1%).
Letter writing presented a way for children and young people to express their thoughts and feelings (57.3%), as well as their ideas and imagination (62.9%).
Nearly 1 in 4 (23.8%) of those who wrote letters also said that they wrote to support causes and issues that they cared about.
“Studies show that interacting in real-world activities increases learning by as much as 64%. Children love getting their own letters in the mail – connecting them to the world around them.” -👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 ToledoParent

🧠 Letter Writing Increases Brain Development:

"These findings demonstrate that handwriting is important for the early recruitment of letter processing in brain regions known to underlie successful reading. Handwriting, therefore, may facilitate reading acquisition in young children." - 📚 WebMD reports
“Research shows that handwriting letters and notes enhances cognition, creativity and social skills.” - 🌿 Domtar
“Higher screen use could exacerbate aggression, anxiety, attention difficulties and depression – in turn driving children to turn to screens as a coping mechanism.” - 👨‍🎓 UQAU

📜 Letter Writing Increases Socialization:

“Letter writing offers a helpful avenue for conveying their thoughts… It’s a practical way to teach students that their words have meaning and value and, consequently, must be chosen carefully.” - 🤔 Edutopia
“Research shows that handwriting letters and notes enhances cognition, creativity and social skills.” - 🌿 Domtar
“Letter writing is a great way to improve writing and communication skills… practice their writing style and voice, as well as practice handwriting coordination.” - ✍ Mom of all Capes
“Incorporating the post office into the early childhood classroom fosters a sense of community, builds literacy skills, and enhances hands-on learning.” - 📫 Early Child

🎨 Expressing Themselves Through Art & Writing Increases Communication:

"Although toddlers and preschoolers may not write conventionally, they demonstrate their writing abilities in a variety of ways such as scribbling, drawing, and making letter-like forms. The ways in which adults respond to children’s first writing attempts can nurture or extinguish children’s natural desire to write..." - 🖍️ Institute for Child Success
“Art, a universal language, empowers children to express thoughts and emotions while promoting creativity and connection, exceeding age barriers.”- 👧 Coping Skills for Kids
“Systematic development of art appreciation among pre‑school children can have a positive impact on their communication skills.” - 🏢 Varia
“Art therapy… facilitate[s] communication… painting or drawing can affect… social interaction skills.” - 🎨 Art Therapy

The verdict is clear:

When we guide our children to write and express themselves through art,

it shapes them in the same way they read, communicate, and express their thoughts.

Let’s bring this art back into circulation.

Your child will remember this far more than a dozen emojis or their favourite TV show and episodes.

Penpal Subscription $15 / Month

💌 Why Letter Writing?

In a digital age, few things feel as warm as a handwritten note.

But letter writing is more than nostalgic, it’s foundational.

💻 Screen Usage Dangers:

“High screen time is associated with poorer social skills development in young children… children with high screen time were often less engaged in face‑to‑face interactions and displayed more difficulties in collaborative tasks.” - 🌍 International Journal of Academic Medicine and Pharmacy
“Excessive screen usage has detrimental effects on social and emotional growth… It can obstruct the ability to interpret emotions, fuel aggressive conduct, and harm one’s psychological health in general.” - 🏥 PubMed
“Higher screen use could exacerbate aggression, anxiety, attention difficulties and depression – in turn driving children to turn to screens as a coping mechanism.” - 👨‍🎓 UQAU

✍ National Literacy Trust reports:

1 in 5 children said that writing made them feel connected to the world.
Letter writing was an outlet for their creativity (66.1%).
Letter writing presented a way for children and young people to express their thoughts and feelings (57.3%), as well as their ideas and imagination (62.9%).
Nearly 1 in 4 (23.8%) of those who wrote letters also said that they wrote to support causes and issues that they cared about.
“Studies show that interacting in real-world activities increases learning by as much as 64%. Children love getting their own letters in the mail – connecting them to the world around them.” -👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 ToledoParent

🧠 Letter Writing Increases Brain Development:

"These findings demonstrate that handwriting is important for the early recruitment of letter processing in brain regions known to underlie successful reading. Handwriting, therefore, may facilitate reading acquisition in young children." - 📚 WebMD reports
“Research shows that handwriting letters and notes enhances cognition, creativity and social skills.” - 🌿 Domtar
“Higher screen use could exacerbate aggression, anxiety, attention difficulties and depression – in turn driving children to turn to screens as a coping mechanism.” - 👨‍🎓 UQAU

📜 Letter Writing Increases Socialization:

“Letter writing offers a helpful avenue for conveying their thoughts… It’s a practical way to teach students that their words have meaning and value and, consequently, must be chosen carefully.” - 🤔 Edutopia
“Research shows that handwriting letters and notes enhances cognition, creativity and social skills.” - 🌿 Domtar
“Letter writing is a great way to improve writing and communication skills… practice their writing style and voice, as well as practice handwriting coordination.” - ✍ Mom of all Capes
“Incorporating the post office into the early childhood classroom fosters a sense of community, builds literacy skills, and enhances hands-on learning.” - 📫 Early Child

🎨 Expressing Themselves Through Art & Writing Increases Communication:

"Although toddlers and preschoolers may not write conventionally, they demonstrate their writing abilities in a variety of ways such as scribbling, drawing, and making letter-like forms. The ways in which adults respond to children’s first writing attempts can nurture or extinguish children’s natural desire to write..." - 🖍️ Institute for Child Success
“Art, a universal language, empowers children to express thoughts and emotions while promoting creativity and connection, exceeding age barriers.”- 👧 Coping Skills for Kids
“Systematic development of art appreciation among pre‑school children can have a positive impact on their communication skills.” - 🏢 Varia
“Art therapy… facilitate[s] communication… painting or drawing can affect… social interaction skills.” - 🎨 Art Therapy

The verdict is clear:

When we guide our children to write and express themselves through art,

it shapes them in the same way they read, communicate, and express their thoughts.

Let’s bring this art back into circulation.

Your child will remember this far more than a dozen emojis or their favourite TV show and episodes.

Penpal Subscription $15 / Month

📜Bringing Back a Lost Art

📜Bringing Back

A Lost Art

In today’s fast-paced world, handwritten letters have nearly vanished, yet their quiet beauty and lasting impact remain. Through our Manière Penpal Circle, we invite families to revive this timeless tradition and help children express themselves with care and thoughtfulness.

A handwritten letter teaches patience, presence, and the art of sincere communication, values that shape both the mind and the heart. This increases intentionality in conversation decorum and social decorum skills, and fosters selfless personalities through relational communication.

This is more than a writing activity; it’s a gentle movement to reclaim presence, connection, and grace. Join us, and show your child that good manners still travel best, sealed with love.

"There is no branch of education called so universally into requisition as the art of letter writing; no station, high or low, where the necessity for correspondence is not felt; no person, young or old, who does not at some time, write, cause to be written, and receive letters."
— Florence Hartley

🐾 Meet Manière: Our Well-Mannered Traveler

We are putting our spin on the inspired idea of Flat Stanley.

The word manners derives from the old French word 'Manière.' This is how our travelling puppy got its name!

Manière is a travelling paper pup who delights in visiting families within the Raising Well-Mannered Children community. Here is how he travels and how it works:

First, our penpal circles are organized by the person's native language. We have a partner system (one family to one family) of penpals, as well as a broader community element.
Each time Manière arrives, he quietly observes your child’s manners, kindness, respect, and growth, then encourages them to reflect and write a letter to the next family.
One household at a time, children share how they’re practicing and living out their etiquette.
There’s no rush, just timeless, thoughtful correspondence every 2–3 months, taking only 20 minutes to complete.
Finally, he is tucked into an envelope with a handwritten letter and drawing. He is then sent along to the next home to tell the next person in the community all the fantastic manners he witnessed.

Your child becomes a link in a chain of thoughtful communication and gentle accountability.

For just $15/month, your child receives monthly penpal supplies, writing prompts, and a charming welcome package to begin their letter-writing journey.

It's more meaningful than a Disney+ subscription, because instead of watching stories, they’re learning to write their own. ✍🏼💌

Penpal Subscription $15 / Month

🐾 Meet Manière: Our Well-Mannered Traveler

We are putting our spin on the inspired idea of Flat Stanley.

The word manners derives from the Old French word 'Manière.' This is how our travelling puppy got its name!

Manière is a travelling paper pup who delights in visiting families within the Raising Well-Mannered Children community. Here is how he travels and how it works:

First, our penpal circles are organized by the person's native language. We have a partner system (one family to one family) of penpals, as well as a broader community element.
Each time Manière arrives, he quietly observes your child’s manners, kindness, respect, and growth, then encourages them to reflect and write a letter to the next family.
One household at a time, children share how they’re practicing and living out their etiquette.
There’s no rush, just timeless, thoughtful correspondence every 2–3 months, taking only 20 minutes to complete.
Finally, he is tucked into an envelope with a handwritten letter and drawing. He is then sent along to the next home to tell the next person in the community all the fantastic manners he witnessed.

Your child becomes a link in a chain of thoughtful communication and gentle accountability.

For just $15/month, your child receives monthly penpal supplies, writing prompts, and a charming welcome package to begin their letter-writing journey.

It's more meaningful than a Disney+ subscription, because instead of watching stories, they’re learning to write their own. ✍🏼💌

Penpal Subscription $15 / Month

✨ Included with Your Membership ✨

🎥 A short video series to guide you through:

(Coming August)

Teaching the art of expression through gestures and scribbles

Infants 6-24 months

Encouraging them to scribble with meaning, and “write” their thoughts

Toddlers 2 - 4 years old

Helping build confidence in letter structure, etiquette, and expression

Children 5 - 7 years old

🎁 Here is everything else you get access to:

A chance for your child to receive Manière in the mail along his travels

Templates, printable letter-writing guides, and colouring every month

Your child receives a birthday postcard in the mail from Manière

Annual access to our exclusive Manière Penpal Circle with like-minded families

VIP Waitlist Access for our upcoming
stationery line in a box, and a BONUS GIFT!

$15 is all it takes to step into this world of gentle refinement, joyful connection, and timeless communication.

Whether your child is a budding artist or an eloquent writer, they’ll find delight in receiving a letter and taking part in something bigger than themselves.

Penpal Subscription $15 / Month

We’re already busy… Will we actually have time for this?

Yes! This is intentionally low-pressure. You’ll receive a letter from another family every 2–3 months (or even shorter), and replying takes just 20 minutes, start to finish. It’s not just another task to juggle, but a peaceful and creative moment to share with your child.

💡 Most families do it on a quiet weekend morning or after dinner—no rushing, just connection.

My child is still young and can’t write yet. Can we still join?

Absolutely. This is the perfect age to begin! Young children can draw, scribble, dictate to you, or decorate the letter. You’re nurturing their writing confidence before they even realize they’re learning.

✨ Early writing builds strong readers, better communicators, and more thoughtful children.

How does this relate to manners?

Letter writing is manners in action. It teaches children to express themselves respectfully, greet others politely, express gratitude, and be thoughtful in conversation. They’ll learn to pause before speaking—or in this case, writing—and think carefully about what they want to share.

By taking the time to sit and think about what to say to someone and reworking our mentality, we develop stronger conversation skills and more thoughtful replies. Writing letters is an activity that helps them learn to be better conversationalists, improve their social interactions, and think before speaking.

🐾 Manière, our travelling pup, observes and celebrates their good behaviour, making manners meaningful and memorable.

What if my child is shy?

That’s a strength here. Letter writing gives shy or quiet children a safe space to express themselves without social pressure. It builds confidence in a gentle, encouraging way, and often becomes their favourite way to communicate!

💌 Many shy children blossom through penpal letters, because the page listens patiently.

What do we actually get with the $15 subscription?

Your $15/year includes:

Access to the Manière Penpal Circle (our global community of families)
A welcome package and a chance to host Manière the manners pup 🐶
Monthly colouring pages, letter templates & conversation prompt cards
A video guide series on teaching writing to infants through age 7
VIP access to our child-friendly stationery line
A birthday postcard from Manière just for your child 🎂
BONUS GIFT 😍

💡 It’s more valuable than any kids’ subscription box, and far more memorable than a Netflix or Disney+ account.

How much does shipping cost for the stationary? How long does it take?

Once an order has been received, it will go out within 1-3 business days.
Please check your email for a tracking number.
The cost of shipping and materials is included in the monthly subscription fee. There are no extra hidden fees.
It will take 2-3 weeks for the box to arrive.

Still wondering if it’s right for your family?

Ask yourself this:
Will my child benefit from expressing themselves slowly, kindly, and thoughtfully?

If yes, then you’re right where you need to be. 💌

Penpal Subscription $15 / Month