First day arrival procedures differ from classroom to classroom. Many students do not go to Pre-K and are not familiar with classroom routines and procedures. Many are scared and do not know what to expect from their new teacher and friends.

We have to make our classrooms a pleasant and welcoming environment where our students can feel safe and eager to learn. I will list some simple ideas that you can use on the first day of school.

1. Have some nursery rhymes playing softly in the background. This will help children walk into a classroom with familiar songs and feel at ease.

2. Display the child’s name throughout the classroom before the first day arrival. Label a place for their backpacks, cubbies, and seating assignments. This will help them feel reassured that there is a place for them and their belongings at school. When the student arrives, you will say something like “This is where you will hang your backpack everyday.” Then, you can show the student the table with his name and say “This is where you will sit today.”

3. It’s always a good idea to have an activity ready for them. They can work on that while waiting for the rest of the students to arrive.  Some teachers like to have math manipulatives at each table. I prefer to have play-doh activities. I buy enough play-doh for each child in the classroom. You can place some cookie cutters and one can of play-doh on a tray for each student at a table. This will keep them engaged while classmates arrive.