Why Post Office works

Post Office is designed to practice role, sequence, and believable pretend cause-and-effect through a sequence that begins when the child is asked to write or draw a short pretend message and place it in an envelope. Move pretend letters through a miniature post office from writing desk to stamp area, sorting bin and delivery pile. The opening action leads directly into the moment when the child is asked to add a fictional recipient or destination mark.

Set up — Write or draw a short pretend message and place it in an…

Prepare household items before the child is asked to write or draw a short pretend message and place it in an envelope. Keep the space simple enough that the child can move from write or draw a short pretend message and place it in an envelope to add a fictional recipient or destination mark without rearranging everything. Keep props ordinary and safe, and do not copy real hazardous, medical, or emergency procedures while the child works through the first instruction to write or draw a short pretend message and place it in an envelope.

Step 2 — Add a fictional recipient or destination mark

After completing the instruction to add a fictional recipient or destination mark, pause and ask what changed from the earlier step where they had to write or draw a short pretend message and place it in an envelope. Use that answer to decide whether they are ready to sort the envelope into the matching destination bin.

Step 3 — Sort the envelope into the matching destination bin

Keep the adult prompt brief while the child tries to sort the envelope into the matching destination bin. If needed, return to the earlier step to add a fictional recipient or destination mark before asking them to move sorted mail to a delivery pile.

Step 4 — Move sorted mail to a delivery pile

Keep the pace slow while the child tries to move sorted mail to a delivery pile. If the effect is hard to see, simplify that action before continuing with the instruction to switch roles so the child receives, sorts and delivers the next letter.

Step 5 — Switch roles so the child receives, sorts and delivers the next letter

Treat the attempt to switch roles so the child receives, sorts and delivers the next letter as a checkpoint between the earlier step to move sorted mail to a delivery pile and the coming step to switch roles so the child receives, sorts and delivers the next letter. A perfect answer is not required.

What to notice before Switch roles so the child receives, sorts and…

Use the attempt to sort the envelope into the matching destination bin as the observation point. If the child understands why they are next asked to move sorted mail to a delivery pile, the final request to switch roles so the child receives, sorts and delivers the next letter should feel connected.

Make Sort the envelope into the matching destination… easier or harder

A shorter version can finish after the child has tried to sort the envelope into the matching destination bin, using this support: use one role, one place, and one short problem. An advanced version can continue to switch roles so the child receives, sorts and delivers the next letter after you add a second responsibility, clue, customer, or consequence that must be handled in order.

Finish after Switch roles so the child receives, sorts and…

Switch roles so the child receives, sorts and delivers the next letter. Stop there while the rule and result are still easy to remember. Continue with a different idea from the activity search or the activity generator.