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It is the first day of preschool for many kids and the last thing you want to do is turn a kid to hating school from the very first day!
First impressions are essential and kids have a knack of figuring out real quick if this school thing is going to be something fun or not. Kids naturally are excited about school, but they are also nervous. Your role as preschool teacher is to build up the excitement.
It sounds like a lot of pressure for preschool. But a lot of planning and some creative lessons is all you need to make a first day turn into a great year of fun, learning and exploration.
Here are some lesson ideas to do just that. Most of them are set along a friendship theme. Making friends or becoming one class unit will mold the kids together faster and give them a greater want to come to school. It also treats them how to treat one another when you go over qualities of being good friends during circle time.
Art Make a friendship flower. Have kids meet one another. Then have them place their handprints on their friends papers. Make sure to include names so parents know who to ask their child about. Draw a stem from their handprint to look like a flower. You can also print out a blank paper with the title, "My New Friends." Then have the kids draw what their new friends look like.
Snack Friendship fruit salad. Preschoolers likes to be busy! One way is to get them using their hands with some cooking! Prepare several types of fruit, it can be canned fruit. Have bowls set out for each kid with a fruit in it. As well as some bowls with whip cream. Let the kids take turns pouring it in and stirring. For extra fun you can play dress up with aprons and chef hats. Talk about how when friends join together, something wonderful is made! Then allow the kids to sit together and taste their creations.
Songs
Tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star "Welcome, welcome, welcome in. Welcome back to school, my friends. Welcome back to school today! We are here to sing and play."
I like you , I like you Yes , I do , Yes , I do Friends are for sharing Friends are for caring I like you , I like you!
There are endless songs available online and on kid cds. I would turn the radio up as well at some point in the day. Bring out instruments or make your own shakers and tell the kids you are going to do a friendship dance. Let them be loud and active! Many kids do not get that freedom at home.
Books How Do Dinosaurs Go To School is a great book. It is written by Jane Yolen How Do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends by Jane Yolen If You Take A Mouse To School by Laura Numeroff
All of these books should get some laughs.
Table I would play it safe the first week and place play doh and tools in the discovery table. Have kids in pairs or "friends" take turns at the table during center time.
Puzzles Have kids in their "friends" complete an age appropriate puzzle.
Blocks Have "friends" build a school out of blocks.
I know the centers seem generic, but the point is to get the kids working together and learning how to work in centers independently. Bring out the cars, trains, etc. and let the kids explore one another and the room activities.
Your first day lessons are really not about teaching. Kids can learn through playing. You want them to have fun and make friends. Don't be afraid to redirect if a child is out of line, but make sure you have varied activities that they can do together.
You need to also make a personal connection with each child by complimenting and taking an interest in them. Having fun, get to know you lesson plans allow you to get to know each other better.
If you have any other suggestions of first day plans that have worked for you, feel free to leave a comment below.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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