Hi there,
We wanted to expand upon our cardmaking process that we mentioned in a previous bulletin. This week at the art table, we’ve been spending some time decorating cards to give to people we love. Kids have been able to choose from various colors of folded paper that say TO_____ and FROM_____. We’ve also had index cards available with various words and phrases: MOM, MOMMY, MAMA, DAD, DADDY, DADA, FAMILY, SISTER/SISSY, BROTHER, I LIKE, I LOVE, THANK YOU, I ❤️ U, and so on. At grouptime one day, teachers showed how to address the card and send a message to someone. An example was a card to JK. On the inside it said “I LIKE” followed by a drawing of playing with our office supplies in the playhouse. On the other page, it said “THANK YOU” and “I ❤️ U” formed with a combination of letter stampers and stickers. This was to demonstrate that writing, drawing, stampers and stickers could be used together to convey one’s message. This is a great literacy activity we introduce around this time of year because so many kids already want to share what they know about Valentine’s Day. We take their enthusiasm as an opportunity to encourage writing and show that it is useful. Similar to Halloween, it’s a “holiday” or “celebration” of sorts that most children are already familiar with and this can bring about lots of discussion. For some, it may be a holiday about love and gifts and treats. Our focus has been about taking some time to express how you feel about those you love. What better way to do so than to practice writing our names, drawing and using stamps!
We looked on or offered support as kids learned to write out family members’ names and practice their own letters in the FROM space. Some found really creative ways to utilize a combination of letter stamps and their own writing. Some chose to just decorate or just use the first letter of their names as they were cranking out cards for loved ones, hehe, Daddy will see my first letter and know who it’s from. Don’t worry. We had our face page out so they could find peers’ names and address cards to them as well. We hope you’ve enjoyed seeing or hearing any bits about this from your child at home.
Here are some photos of JK spreading the love!
All the best,
JKWEST
At Table time one day, kids found a hidden face page photo under a blank card at their places. We made a surprise card for another person in JK! The next day at story time, each kid presented the card they made to the group and then gave it to the recipient. This ensured that everyone received a card and helped promote love for our community. It also helped us think about those we may not spend lots of time with and pointed out how much we really do know about each other! Kids were heard secretly chatting and sharing advice on what their friends would probably like to see in their cards: flowers, semi trucks, animals, favorite colors, rainbows,etc. JK seemed to really embrace this experience!
And lastly, thank you to families, kids and teachers for all working together to make cards for one another. On Tuesday at group time, each child had the opportunity to distribute the cards that were made at home or at school with teachers. Kids waited with their bags, excited to see all of the deliveries coming by! There was lots of chatting, viewing cards with friends and thanking each other for all of the things being delivered. We hope you had a chance to peek at them as well!
