Name Tag Mailboxes-A Simple Way to Encourage Writing in Preschool

With limited wall space in my classroom, I was looking for a creative way to allow each student to have a mailbox without taking up a bulletin board area.

To solve this problem these cubby label mailboxes were invented.

Simply take a business size envelope, decorate it how you would like and then laminate the entire envelope closed.  After it is laminated cut about 1/4 inch along the top of the envelope allowing it to open.  Then punch a hole through the front side and attach the arrow with a brad.  The arrows had also been laminated and cut out.

This allows the arrow to be down if the mailbox is empty and turned up when it is full.

The children enjoy writing each other notes and giving and receiving mail throughout the year.  We discuss how it is important to write your own name as well as the person you are sending it to, so that person will know who to write back to after receiving mail.  

It is exciting for them to look across the room as they are playing and see their flag up.  "I have mail!" can be heard happily expressed as the children rush over to open their messages.

Having the mailboxes double as their cubby labels saves a lot of space and allows the mailboxes to be in a more central location in the classroom rather than a corner or area they may not frequent as often. The teachers and the working parent also have a mailbox...and we always respond to mail.  

A Justification For Loose Parts Play In This Competitive Society-A Professional Development Workshop

I recently enjoyed giving a workshop on loose parts play to the staff of United Methodist Preschool held at Community Cooperative Nursery School.  We started off with the theory behind this kind of play, reflections on current classroom practices and a slide show of the children from CCNS in action.

But the most important part of this workshop is giving the teachers time to actually play and interact with the materials and investigate the kinds of learning that they can envision their students experiencing.  They were asked to not only engage, but to reflect as they played on the skills that children would be learning and applying as they played.  

Then they were given something that is critical for teachers of young children...time to play.  Time to problem solve...

to engage with each other and the materials...

and to get a real sense of what the children experience as they interact with the loose parts.

We concluded the play portion of the session reflecting on the CT Early Learning and Development Standards and what skills from several of the domains this kind of play fosters.

The teachers then created action plans and materials wish lists for incorporating this type of play into their teaching as well as addressing some concerns and issues they may face.  

It is always invigorating for me to be surrounded by such dedicated educators that continue to want to learn more and improve their practices in order to provide young children the best learning environments possible.  

If you are interested in this workshop or other professional development sessions please contact me at danagorman@playfullylearning.me.