Parent to Parent

Capturing the Words: The Power of Language

By Janet Schwan

"Once upon a time dere were tree little pigs…" and the story would continue in my mother's lovely French accent. She could not pronounce the "–th " sound but the story did not lose any of its fascination. As a four-year-old snuggled near her in bed, after dad had left for work, I was raptly involved in every word. Soon Mom's stories and picture books gave way to school and I followed her around the house with my own little books asking, " What's dis word, Mommy?" imitating her accent.

What tremendous power there is spoken and written language. Words express all our sensory experiences plus the emotions and desires of our spirits. In every life there is a myriad of opportunities to write. If used our skills improve. Great satisfaction can also come from knowing that our writing helps others. Sometimes these others are simply our own families.

Consider these examples:
• A concerned mother writes a descriptive request for her son's speech therapy to the family's health insurance company, which originally states that this service is not covered. The therapist and family physician both approve of the letter and sign it. Within an appropriate amount of time the family is reimbursed by this insurance company for all of their personal expenses from the therapist.

• A homeowner sends a letter to a house siding company, including photos, to describe how the paint has severely peeled on the siding (which they had installed) before the warranty is up. The company is persuaded to reimburse the family for the major part of the cost of new improved siding.

• Parents write significant messages on their children's report cards and teachers adjust their responses to those children. Teachers routinely spend much time writing report cards with creative and studied advice to encourage parents and promote the responsible nurturing of children.

• Handwritten Christmas letters maintain friendships and allow us to share all the momentous events of our lives. They also can renew memories as we make each letter personal to the recipient.

• A note of consolation and sympathy is sent to a friend or family member who is enduring very difficult circumstances or suffering from depression.

Some of the outcomes of this writing will inspire us to do more while others we may never know. The extent of such influence is immeasurable.

There are also personal bonuses in the discipline of writing. It requires us to weed out our thoughts, stretch our imaginations and sort out our feelings. Once, when a little 7-year-old boy whom I had been tutoring passed away I was near tears and needed to do something about it. I was too choked up to talk. So I sat down and wrote to my mom, describing what I had tried to do and how I felt. I mailed it to her knowing that she would understand. And then I realized that I had done all that I could do.

Learning to use words to communicate, heal, teach, persuade, and inspire is a skill we can all appreciate. And using it well can bring so much understanding to our world. Teach your children from a young age about the power of words and language is integral to their development. Capturing the words can be hard work but giving them away can bring great pleasure.

Janet Schwan is a retired elementary teacher and former nursery school and daycare owner who lives in the Rochester area.

Genesee Valley Parent Magazine Copyright.

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