Morning Routines

Remember that dreaded toy from childhood, Jack-in-the-Box? Remember the anticipation that came as the crank was turned and the music began, slow and methodical, fast and creepy? Then it happened the POP, the jumps, the squeals, the laughter, the tears, so many emotions and responses from one simple toy. You remember it well don’t you? That is exactly like mornings in pre-k and kindergarten!
It’s all fun and games until that POP, that one incident that sets all chaos in motion. You can’t prevent it, it will come, not every day but most, sometimes it’s a simple solution other days it’s catastrophic. While we can neither predict these events nor prevent them we can set up an environment which makes the managing of them far easier.

Let’s look at 3 easy steps to a stress less morning.

1. Greet ‘em at the Door

Always, always, always greet your students in the morning! It’s best if you can greet them at the door before they even enter the room but sometimes you are already dealing with a catastrophe and that’s not possible. Greet them with a smile, a positive word, direct eye contact and their name. Make it personal!

This simple act on our part has monumental impact on our students’ self-esteem and strengthens that bond they have with us. Students who feel valued and loved will work harder for the adult who makes them feel that way.

My students try to sneak in our class without me noticing. It becomes great fun to surprise me that they are already in class before I greet them. Even that brings smiles, laughter and comradery between us all.

2. Can Do Morning Work

Have morning work that they can accomplish on their own. No matter how organized and prepared we are Jack will POP and we won’t be available to help other students. The less they need you the more smoothly their morning will run. There are tons of ways to do morning work. I employ several depending on what time of the year it is, what we are learning in class and what my students are able to accomplish.

Providing a solid morning work routine focus young brains and sets a positive mood for the day ahead.

3. What’s Next

Always have a back-up option for students when they finish their morning work. Depending on arrival times, ability to work independently and how quickly speedy is on a given morning you will have those who finish before you are ready to start the day. These students need something to go to without having to rely on you to provide it.

In my class we have a shelf designated as the morning shelf. The shelf has large baskets of open ended activities that will serve multiple children. The first student done at a table gets to choose what basket they take to their table – one basket per table, no switching. They work from these baskets until I am ready to start our Morning Meeting Routine.

Working this way allows for social interactions inside a managed setting. They can chat and laugh and build and destroy and plan and execute over and over again. Building relationships and minds simultaneously – it’s a beautiful thing.
Sounds a little too simple doesn’t it? But it works like a well-oiled machine. They don’t need me or my aide to complete their morning routines. This leaves us both free to greet students, put out morning fires and assist individual students who need extra support. Welcome to a stress less morning!

Enjoy!