Relationship has a tremendous role in literacy. The first words children recognize are the names of family and friends and we support this by having the child’s image with their name placed throughout the classroom. At the West Wing Communication Center, the children have been using their roster photos to address and sign messages and deliver them to a friend’s file folder.
Madeleine: I’m going to make Leah a card. I think ‘happy birthday, mommy, and sister’ will make her feel better.
Teacher Silvana: Leah has been sick. What message could you tell her?
Madeleine: ‘I wish you were feeling well.’ We should add that to the box.
Dashiell makes a note to an East Winger: Luke is my friend. We play in the front yard.
Milo hand delivers a picture to Juliette. ‘I made this for you.’
Henry looks at the West Wing roster. ‘I want Josephine to know I’m thinking about her.’
Literacy is a valuable tool when it becomes meaningful. Through messages, the children are expressing the desire to connect and stay connected. The recipient knows who sent the mail, first from the image and later by reading the name.
At pick up time, your child might want to check their blue file to collect any communication from the day. The folders are located near the Communication Center by the cubbies.