As a kindergarten teacher, I understand the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for my students, especially on their first day of school. That’s why I love incorporating Audrey Penn’s heartwarming book, “The Kissing Hand,” into my first-day activities. This sweet story not only helps to alleviate separation anxiety but also sets the stage for a day filled with engaging stations and hands-on activities that promote learning, observation, and creativity.
To make the first day of kindergarten both enjoyable and informative, I’ve designed a series of stations inspired by “The Kissing Hand.” These stations serve as a pretest to assess my students’ skills while providing opportunities for observation and engagement. Let’s take a look at the stations I set up:
Shape Match Station: At this station, students match different shapes, such as circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles. This activity not only reinforces shape recognition but also allows me to observe their fine motor skills and attention to detail.
Counting Numbers Cut and Paste Station: In this station, children cut out numbers and paste them in sequential order. This activity helps me assess their number recognition and one-to-one correspondence skills, while also reinforcing the concept of counting.
Line Tracing Station: At this station, students practice tracing lines, enabling me to observe their pencil grip and fine motor skills. This activity is essential for me to gauge their readiness for writing and identify any areas where early intervention may be needed.
Number Trace and Match Station: This station focuses on number recognition and counting. Students trace numbers and match them with corresponding quantities, allowing me to assess their number sense and counting skills.
Lowercase Alphabet Trace Station: Here, students practice tracing lowercase letters. This activity helps develop their letter recognition and prepares them for future reading and writing tasks.
Uppercase Alphabet Trace Station: Similar to the previous station, students trace uppercase letters, further reinforcing their letter recognition and familiarity.
After engaging with the various stations, I dedicate the next session to fostering creativity and creating memorable keepsakes of their first day of kindergarten.
My First Day Crown: During this activity, children create crowns to celebrate their first day of school. They can decorate their crowns with stickers, and drawings fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment.
First Day of School Handprint Keepsake: Using non-toxic paints, students make handprints on a piece of paper, creating a unique keepsake that captures their growth throughout the year. This activity not only promotes self-expression but also offers a tangible memory for children to cherish.
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Here’s what some other teachers had to say when they used these activities…
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