The first day of preschool is an interesting day for both kids and teachers, whether they admit it or not. The fundamental hurdle is how to make pupils who may be new to a classroom feel welcomed and ready to learn the first time they set foot in such an institution. For the teachers, it is very vital to plan out activities that a child would look forward to on the first day of preschool since it creates a perfect base to tackle the forthcoming year. These activities are not just for enjoyment purposes but also for helping the young ones adjust to their routines, make new friends and explain their day to them.
Welcoming children on the first day of preschool
Most of the preschool teachers look for and come up with some interesting first-day of preschool activities. These activities help in welcoming new students to the school and creating a comfortable environment for them. So, without any further ado, let us check out some fun first-day of preschool activities and also learn some first-day of preschool ideas.
Welcome Circle Time
Name Tag Fun
Scavenger Hunt
Puppet Play
Accessible Art Activities
Music and Movement
“What’s in the Bag?” Game
The most effective method of familiarizing the classroom setting would be using the welcome circle. The teacher can arrange the students in a circle and have a few introductions. After that, it would be a good idea to ask the children to give a short introduction of themselves which should include their names and a few interesting things including but not limited to their favorite color or toy. This relatively straightforward icebreaker makes it possible for the kids to begin identifying their classmates without submerging them in the pressure of recognizing their classmates immediately.
Use a cushion, a soft toy or even a colourful ball for including a Sneak in a twist to the Monster Game and a soft toy or cushion Is passed on from person to person. In this activity, only the person who has the ball or the toy is allowed to speak, therefore, making it easier for people to participate in the activity without being too involved. It is one of the most simple yet very interesting preschool activity ideas that classroom teachers can apply to help begin the day.
There are many children who, on their first day, may find it difficult to remember the names of their new playmates. Where there is difficulty, teachers can enhance the potential of children by including a fun task with name tags. Give children preschool crafts cut on different patterns, like hearts, stars, and animals. They can write their names on it or if they can’t, assist them.
Let the students later on embellish the name tags with crayons, stickers, or glitter. So once ready, give it to the children and pin the name tags on their shirts. The activity fostered on name tags is small in size but has big returns in practice towards creating name awareness. Besides, teachers should be able to recognize and remember their student’s names, and from the first lesson, it is even more important.
The inquisitive nature of children is one of the features that most children have, so what if we search to help them settle into the new class? Teachers can have a few items listed which the children are to look for in the class e.g. businesses of books and toys, pencils, colors and shapes. This task has proved to serve two objectives. First, it helps the children get acquainted with the various areas and objects within the classroom, encouraging them to feel at home in a new environment. Second, it helps in interaction between the students as they can combine their force in searching for the objects strengthening their preschool friendships. It’s a pretty fun activity for the very first day in preschool that helps children remain enthusiastic about new experiences.
Children generally are interested in listening to stories and what is better than to use some puppets to break them into a whole new world? Pick a sweet and simple tale and complement it with puppet shows. The use of puppets adds a bit of excitement to the storytelling and makes it fun for the kids.
Once the story comes to a conclusion, ask the children questions about the story plot, different characters or events in particular. You can also request them to become the puppeteers which alleviates their ideas and creativity. This does not fail especially when followed by some very active games.
Children need to express themselves and be active in art because it brings a sense of achievement to them. On the first day, try to do basic art like coloring sheets or finger painting. Let the children choose the colors they like and make what they wish.
This resistance to creativity encourages children to adapt and feel comfortable in the new environment as well. For instance, children can be motivated to present their art to their classmates, instilling some confidence in them while helping them learn the art practices of their colleagues.
No preschool day is over without enjoying some music and movement! On the very first day teachers can play simple, traditional music that has accompanying movements, for example, hop claps, turns and skips. It is easy to make children stand up and be on their feet after singing some captivating children’s songs or some fun Hindi songs such as the ones, Lakdi Ki Kathi or Nani Teri Morni.
Since many children would be shy in the beginning, playing some form of music would be highly appreciated. It gives them a chance to get rid of any pent-up energy, releases any awkwardness they may have and helps them engage without having to speak. In addition, it also serves perfectly for classrooms where the languages of instruction are varied since both movements and sounds transcend language.
End the day with a fun game like “What’s in the Bag?” which can help in relieving stress. Take a bag with some objects which are frequently used in the classroom such as a pencil, eraser, small toy, or spoon and place it in the ‘Bag.’ Each child will have a turn, putting his or her hand in the bag without looking and trying to guess the object which he/she feels just by hand.
This game is a wonderful way to build the enthusiasm and interest of children’s minds and at the same time, it trains children’s sense of touch and enhances their vocabulary. In addition, it contributes to the very essence of the first day of preschool by introducing an element of delight and pleasant surprise.
As this is the first day of preschool, it makes a positive impact on a child’s mind about going to school and, more importantly, given the right kind of activities, such an environment can be provided by the teachers for everyone. These first-day preschool ideas include fun, interesting, and educational activities such as interactive circle times and creative collages for this very special day in every preschooler’s life.
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