Junk Mail & Other Tools for Writing

How do kids get better at a sport? They have a coach. They practice. They play. They try out different strategies. They make mistakes and get messy. They enjoy it. Writing is no different. If you want your children to write and enjoy it, they need the tools to make it engaging. 

Free supplies:

• Return envelopes from junk mail 
• Hooray for reusing! Open those credit card offers and other envelopes you generally don't keep to find this golden tool. Your kids will LOVE stuffing their notes inside, licking it up, and even drawing stamps. 
• Notepads from charities like St. Jude's Children's Hospital
• It's fun to have different types of paper. 
• Return address labels that come from charities too
• They'll enjoy making their envelope "official."
• Advertisements with pictures and letters that can be cut 
• Decorations and embellishments can be found in unlikely places.

Low cost supplies:

• Plain white computer paper (It's possible to get rebates from stores like Staples, so you can get this paper free.)
• Construction paper
• Pencils
• Pens
• Crayons/Markers
• Stickers
• Glue sticks
• Scissors
• Plain envelopes for letters they'd like to mail

Here is our set up: 

The kids don't need their own table. All they really need is a basket or caddy to keep the supplies in, a place to go, and time with you to get them started.

One of the best things you can do is make the writing center/caddy/box with your children. They can decide with you where the envelopes, paper, glue, magazines, etc. will go. You can sit down and create a letter side by side. They can use the junk mail envelopes to write immediate family and friends they see notes. You may want to have some plain envelopes available, so they can mail a letter.  They may also want to draw pictures, write a story, or simply glue pictures. Let them decide. The materials are their supplies to use as they please.

How do kids get better at writing? They have a teacher. They practice. They play. They try out different strategies. They make mistakes and get messy. They enjoy it. Just like a sport.