What to do on the first days of kindergarten?
The key to anything you do the first days of kindergarten is to keep it simple & incorporate movement!
Whether you are a first time kindergarten teacher or a veteran, I’m going to share my go-to activities for the first day of kindergarten that simplify your planning & prep.
Start planning today with a free beginning of the year teacher checklist.
Welcoming Students & Parents on the First Day of Kindergarten
A successful first week of kindergarten begins with the first arrival. Below is a list of ideas for the 1st day of kindergarten arrival to consider when planning.
- Greet students at the door
- Use a sign/visual to show what students/caregivers should do
- Put away belongings
- Go to their desk
- Place classroom donations in labeled areas/containers
- Simple 1st day in kindergarten coloring sheet
- Saying good-bye to caregiver(s)
- Have a time set for the planned good-bye & give a 5 minute warning
- Have a plan in place with administration if help is needed
- Take student pictures with the 1st day of kindergarten printable sign
1st Days in Kindergarten Activities
The first days of kindergarten are all about building a strong classroom foundation through simple, structured routines and fun, engaging activities. From practicing daily procedures, name songs, to learning supplies & forming new friendships.
Kindergarten Routines & Procedures
Practicing classroom routines & procedures is essential for effective classroom management.
Remember to keep it simple, start with the most necessary routines first. Plan to teach a few per day. Don’t rush & use visuals to practice!
- Getting the students’ attention (classroom attention getters)
- Bathroom
- Walking in line
- Listening to stories
- Brain breaks
- Transitioning between activities (cleaning up too)
- Dismissal
Read more about establishing procedures & routines by clicking here.
Interactive Name Chants & Songs
Learning your students’ names is a crucial part of the first days in kindergarten.
Essential to classroom management but more importantly, shows your students you care about them.
I love using songs & chants, there is almost never any prep & they’re my favorite go-to activities for the 1st day of kindergarten.
Songs and chants are a fun way to help students learn each other’s names while building classroom community through music and movement.
Name Recognition Activities
Yes, this is technically an academic skill but it is more of a sanity saver.
If kids cannot recognize their name in print, they will be constantly asking for help to find their belongings.
No matter what name activity is planned, keep it simple!
Introduce & Practice Using School Supplies
Students will need to be shown how to use and care for supplies.
Keep it simple, start with the most necessary, learning one at a time.
- Crayons
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Scissors
- Glue
- Math manipulatives
💡Tips:
-Use a play-based strategy when possible.
-Practice using supplies at tables.
-Rotate the materials between groups to start.
Below are some ideas.
- Cut strips of paper
- Build with math blocks
- Color a picture
- Trace lines & complete drawings
- Draw self portraits
- Glue small pieces of paper to create a mosaic picture
- Puzzles (less than 10 pieces-I prefer wooden or foam puzzles)
- Play dough (can also add scissors to cut)
This not only teaches how to use the supply, but to stay in an assigned area- a skill necessary for center rotations for kindergarten students.
You can build on this as the week progresses by introducing the procedure to rotate between centers. This simple addition to your day will have students wanting to come back to school, eager to “play.”
Getting to Know You Activities
The first days of kindergarten are not about academics; it is about developing social skills, forming friendships & making personal connections.
All About Me Bag
I love using this activity as a way to practice active listening in the classroom as we take turns sharing the items.
All you need is:
- Paper bags (lunch size)
- All about me bag directions
Time Capsule
All you need is:
- Time Capsule label
- Time Capsule about me pages
- Sturdy container with a list
- Construction paper
- glue/tape
- Stickers
- Pencils
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
Making the First Days of Kindergarten Memorable
The first day of kindergarten sets the stage for a child’s school journey. You can create a memorable and positive experience for their students by incorporating a variety of simple engaging activities.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a first day that is filled with excitement! The first day of kindergarten is just the beginning of an incredible journey!
Click here for your free beginning of the year teacher checklist.