Post Office/Bakery

The OLES post office and bakery are open for business!  Over the last few days, the preschoolers have been carefully writing their names on holiday cards & letters and addressing their package labels so that postal workers can deliver them to their friends.  It is exciting to watch their communication, literacy and dramatic play skills increase as they take on the different roles in this center.  While the two centers seem very different, they actually complement each other nicely.  In the preschooler's eyes, the bakery gives purpose to the post office.  Since many of the preschoolers have had minimal life experiences with the post office or receiving mail, the concept of sending packages/goodies to their loved ones helps to bridge this gap of understanding.  Our aim is to focus on the language behind these types of jobs and to encourage the preschoolers to interact with each other in a positive manner.  Sending and receiving packages to their friends encourages just that.

In the bakery, the preschoolers are able to make many delicious baked goods.  First, we have them choose a recipe card to follow.  Then, they collect the ingredients that they will need to make their food item.  Lastly, the preschoolers are encouraged to bake the dough, batter, etc. and then package or prepare it so that they can mail it to someone else.  It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.