It's back to school for this kindergarten teacher and mommy!  Not only do I purchase a bunch of back to school items for my own children, but I have to buy a lot of things for my kindergarten classroom.  Luckily for me, Oriental Trading Company supplied me with a few free items of my choice to try out in our room and I couldn't be happier! 

This year I have studied the impact of play deeper. Children learn so much during imaginary play like problem solving, communication, collaboration, inference skills, and on and on.  I selected construction vests, mail carrier vests, police vests, stick blocks, community helper books, linking shapes, and stickers. 

I was so excited when the box was delivered, but no where near as excited as my 30 students (yes, 30 full day kindergartners for this lady!)  I sat at the carpet and called the boys and girls to the rug.  I pulled out the box with the pink flamingo on it.  I told them that the contents inside the box were for them.  You would have thought it was Christmas morning!  Each item I pulled out was better than the last.  I had the children model the vests and passed around the books. 

I have been so pleased with the items sent.  Everyday I have children playing with the vests during playtime.  They catch the bad guys and fix the streets.  They deliver mail and packages around the classroom. My boys and girls love building with the stick blocks and linking shapes to make necklaces and other patterned chains. 

I have ordered from Oriental Trading Company before for stickers and items to go in my treasure box, but now I'm very excited to search more of their catalog to see how else I can use their product.  I hope you do, too!