Discovering Pen Pals!

A new project to do with the children in your group is to introduce them to the art of letter writing. It only takes some paper, postage, a little imagination and - a Pen Pal!

Where you can find some pen pals:

1- Arrange it with a colleague from another center who has the same age group as you do. Write a letter to them from the children in your group. Make sure you talk about each child in your letter and read it to your children before you send it off. After a few letters are exchanged, plan for the groups to meet and have a special picnic or outing together.

2- If you'd like to include another part of the country or another country in your learning, you could look within the families (yours or in one of the children). Is there a family member that would like to exchange with the children and become your new pen pal?

3- Write to one of the following organizations including a SASE (a self-addressed-stamped-envelop). Let them know which country you'd like your Pen Pal to be from:

International Friendship League 55 Mount Vernon Street Boston, MA 02108

World Pen Pals 1694 Como Avenue St Paul, MN 55108

4- Or online at: Pen-Pal Connection http://alberti.crs4.it/pen-pal/

How to communicate with your Pen Pals:

Index Card Notes: Give one card per child to draw a picture on one side and dictate to you a few sentences about themselves or the picture on the other side.

The Class Newspaper: Use a sheet of paper (11x14) and place the information in columns. Let the children give your paper a name. Add pictures and mini articles(a few sentences)in the paper about your center, city, state or country. Make copies for all the children in both groups.

Record-A-Letter: If writing isn't for you, one option is to use a tape recorder and tape some cassettes. The enthusiasm will be heard through on the tape. Tape your favorite songs, nursery rhythms or stories. Have each child have a turn talking during the recording.

Catch-It-On-Video: Another option is to communicate using your camcorder and film your group. Film outings, birthdays or holiday times. Identify each session with the date and give yourself a time limit (5-10 minutes). At the end of the year, combine tapes from both groups and makes copies for the children who would a special souvenir that can be kept for a lifetime.

What can be exchanged:

Exchange "Gifts": Children love to receive little tokens. Share with your new friends pictures, drawings, bookmarkers, and postcards. You can send them maps, placemats, pamphlets of historical areas located around your center.

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