Imagine arriving at work and being immediately thrown into a meeting without a moment to settle in. It wouldn’t be the best way to start your day, right? The same goes for children! Just like adults, children benefit from a gentle transition into their day. A calm and welcoming start helps them feel secure, ready to engage, and prepared for learning. In this blog, I’ll share some simple yet effective tips for creating a morning routine in the classroom that sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
Welcome Time
Start each day by welcoming each child by name as they enter the room. Offer many high-fives, handshakes, warm smiles, and even the occasional side-hug if needed. Children want to feel welcome and loved. You never know what went on that morning ay home before coming to school, so be sure to give them as much grace and kindness as possible. Once the children have entered, give them a few minutes to put their backpacks away, take off their jackets, get their folders out, etc.
Lunch/Choice Sticks
If you are in a school setting, place out colored popsicle sticks with each child’s name on them on a table that is easily accessible for all children, along with two containers marked “hot” and “cold” for lunch options. Putting a picture of a typical food tray on the one labeled “hot” and a lunch bag on the one labeled “cold” can help aide the children when making their choice for the day, as many may not be able to read yet. It still may not hurt to double check their backpacks or cubbies before entering in the lunch count the first few times, because mistakes do happen!
If your school doesn’t require a count of hot vs. cold lunch, you could tweak this into a “how are you feeling” activity or “this or that”. The two options could be “happy” or “tired”, “doughnuts” or “eggs” or anything that presents a choice for the children. It can help you gauge their mood for the day or just be a fun way to get to know them at the beginning of the year!
This activity not only helps with name recognition but also gives them a sense of responsibility. Using several different colored sticks can help finding their names easier in the beginning, as they can just focus on one color at first. But as time goes on, you can try using all one color so that they have to just focus on the letters in their name. As the school year progresses, the sticks could be switched to their last names, too.
Sign In
After the children have put their things away and have done their lunch sticks, have each child “sign in” by writing their name on a whiteboard, chalkboard or a large price of paper. If you have an extra adult (classroom helper or para) they can help with this task. Any extra one on one time with an adult that can be squeezed into the day can be a positive thing. Have laminated copies of the children’s first names for reference if they need some extra help writing it. Once they get proficient in writing their first name, you can switch to last names.
Free Play
Finally, allow the children to have some free play time. This time is crucial for fostering creativity and independence as it gives children the freedom to make their own choices, explore their interests, and engage in imaginative play. Free play also serves as an important social outlet, providing opportunities for children to reunite with their friends and build essential social skills like cooperation, sharing, and communication. Plus, this unstructured time helps children transition smoothly into the structured activities of the day by allowing them to express themselves freely and release energy. Getting all of the ‘sillies’ out through play ensures that they are more focused and ready to participate in circle time or any group activities that follow.
Creating a welcoming and structured morning routine is key to helping children feel comfortable and ready to learn. By greeting each child warmly, providing opportunities for choice and expression, and allowing time for free play, you can create a nurturing environment that supports both emotional well-being and academic readiness. These practices not only help children transition into the school day smoothly but also build a strong foundation for positive social interactions and a love of learning. With these tips, you’ll set the stage for a successful and enjoyable day in the classroom!
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