After exploring sending letters and learning how a mailbox works, we became interested in writing letters/cards to our families and friends. So we decided to make our own personal mailboxes that can stay in our classroom. This way we could continue to explore sending and receiving letters.
At first, each child was given a pre-made mailbox (a box that had a slot for mails already cut out). Then everyone chose colors that they wanted for their mailboxes and painted them. After the children painted their mailboxes, the teachers put their printed names on the mailbox so that they were visible and clear. As the children noticed their names on the mailboxes, many of the them started to notice the first couple of letters (or all of their letters!) of their names.
The process of writing letters in the beginning was that the children would write to themselves or to their mommies and daddies. They would put those letters in their own mailboxes. They tremendously enjoyed putting their letters into the mailboxes! On Friday, we gathered in a circle and took our mailboxes. Surprisingly, there was an opening underneath the mailboxes and allowed the children to get their mail out. The joy of receiving was even greater! It was wonderful to see our children's faces lighting up. Then we talked about how to write to others besides ourselves or mommies and daddies. We decided to write to our classmates and placed the letters in our mailboxes. During center time, many children wanted to write letters to their friends (classmates). It definitely was a great way to deepen our friendships in the 3A classroom!
