Developing Distance-Devotion

The Family Fax Network: Fax machines provide instant, tangible contact between a child and an extended family member. Unlike a computer, with a fax machine a child can easily transmit hand-written or hand-drawn communication, thereby providing opportunities for sharing language. This exchange of personal expression between child and grandparent encourages neural connections about language. Hence, as we read in How Young Children Learn and Reading With Your Child, the foundation to literacy is strengthened.

Inexpensive and full of value: The best fax machine for children to use is the least expensive. They use rolls of inexpensive thermal paper which do not require any replacement toner.  With proper supervision, young children can quickly learn to fax a note, drawing, or their name.  In turn, extended family members from all over the world can reply.

Below are a few tips to keep in mind as you make your family fax network an ongoing family reunion:

• Most fax machines come with the capacity to store numbers.  Use photos of relatives next to the corresponding, programmed, speed dial buttons.
• Since the thermal fax paper is on a roll, short notes can be sent using half a piece of paper. This will conserve paper on the receiving machine.
• Use black ink - blue ink and pencil do not transmit well.
• Just as Grandmother puts her grandchild's drawing on her refrigerator, have your child put Grandmother's art work on your refrigerator.