Materials
The Jolly Christmas Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
construction paper markers, crayons, and colored pencils holiday-themed stamps washable stamp pad standard card-sized envelopes two first-class stamps for each childInstructions
1. At the beginning of December, ask parents to send in the addresses of
the children's grandparents. Explain that the children will be creating
their own holiday cards (Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza, and so on) to
send to their grandparents. If the children do not have living
grandparents, ask for the addresses of favorite aunts or uncles.
2. Read The Jolly Christmas Postman. Talk about how the postman delivers
holiday mail to people all over the world.
3. Ask the children if they have ever gotten any mail or sent any mail to
anyone. Explain that they will be sending their own holiday mail to their
grandparents, aunts, or uncles.
4. Give each child two pieces of construction paper. Show them how to fold
the paper in half.
5. Offer a variety of drawing materials such as markers and colored pencils.
You can also offer holiday-themed stamps and a washable stamp pad.
6. When the children are finished designing, help them print a holiday
sentiment inside the card. Let them sign their own cards.
7. Give each child two envelopes. Help them print the addresses of their
grandparents on each one. Let them decorate the envelope with markers
or colored pencils, making sure not to obscure the addresses.
8. Help the children affix a postage stamp to each envelope.
9. When the children have completed their cards, plan a trip to the local
mailbox or post office, if possible. Let the children mail their own cards.
More to do Dramatic Play: Put mail carrier props in the dramatic play center.
Field Trip: Arrange a field trip to the local post office for a tour. This will
help children understand how the mail they put in a mailbox gets to its
intended destination. Or, invite a mail carrier to visit the classroom.
Writing: Add envelopes and adhesive stamps (like the kind from Easter
Seals) to the Writing center. Encourage the children to send mail to each
other. Create a mailbox from a cardboard box or shoebox. Let the children
place mail for each other or other classrooms in it. The children can take
turns delivering the mail.