Mia’s Morning Adventure

Mia pushes open the door and steps inside her preschool classroom. She is excited for a brand new day!

Step 1: Arrival

Mia walks into the room and waves “Good morning!” to her friends and teacher. She heads straight to the cubby area, ready to start her routine.

Step 2: Hang Your Coat

Mia takes off her bright yellow coat and carefully hangs it on her hook. Click! Her coat stays neat and tidy.

Step 3: Store Your Belongings

Next, Mia places her backpack and lunchbox in her cubby. She zips up her bag to keep her things safe.

Step 4: Name Tag & Rug

Mia finds her name tag on the table. She sticks it on the rug, finds her special spot, and sits down quietly.

Mia smiles because she followed her morning routine all by herself. Now she’s ready to learn and play!

(Each page can be paired with a colorful illustration showing Mia completing each step.)

Morning Routine Discussion Prompts

Use these questions with Morning Routine Picture Cards to guide our chat. Encourage children to point, name, and share feelings.

1. What do we do first when we arrive?

(Point to the Arrival card.)

2. What do we hang on our hook?

(Point to the Coat hanging card.)

3. Where do we put our backpack or lunchbox?

(Point to the Cubby card.)

4. When we’re done, what do we do next?

(Point to the Name Tag & Rug card.)

5. How do you feel when we follow our morning routine?

(Encourage kids to use feelings words: happy, calm, proud.)

Morning Routine Picture Cards

Use these printable cards to help children visualize, sequence, and discuss our morning routine steps. Print, laminate, and cut out each card for durability and frequent use.

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock or heavy paper
• Printer
• Laminator (optional)
• Scissors

Cards (4):

1. Arrival
   Image: Child entering classroom waving.
   Caption: “Enter the classroom and head to your cubby.”
2. Hang Your Coat
   Image: Child hanging a coat on a hook.
   Caption: “Take off your coat and hang it on your hook.”
3. Store Your Belongings
   Image: Child placing backpack in cubby.
   Caption: “Put your backpack and lunchbox in your cubby.”
4. Name Tag & Rug
   Image: Child placing name tag on rug.
   Caption: “Put your name tag on the rug and sit down.”

Instructions for Use:

Sequencing Activity

• Shuffle all 4 cards and lay them face up.
• Invite students to arrange the cards in the correct morning routine order.
• As each card is placed, ask the child to name the step aloud.

Matching Game

• Create a second set of text-only cards with each step’s caption.
• Mix picture cards with text cards face up.
• Challenge students to find and match each picture card with its corresponding text card.

Simon Says Extension

• Display the 4 picture cards in view.
• Play “Simon Says” by calling out steps (e.g., “Simon says: Hang your coat.”) while holding up the matching card.
• Students follow the command and point to or hold up the same card.

Print Guidelines:

• Print on cardstock for sturdiness.
• Laminate each card for repeated classroom use.
• Cut along the outer border to create large, easy-to-handle cards.

Routine Simon Says

A playful twist on Simon Says that reinforces our morning routine steps, listening skills, and self-regulation with musical cues. Perfect for our very active preschoolers!

Objective

Students will practice and sequence the four morning routine steps by following “Simon Says” commands, strengthening listening skills and fostering independence.

Materials

• Morning Routine Picture Cards
• Morning Musical Transitions Track
• Open floor space for movement

Setup

1. Arrange the four picture cards in a row where all children can see them.
2. Prepare the music track at a low volume; have a device and speaker ready.
3. Explain that when they hear “Simon Says,” they should do the action shown on the card. If “Simon Says” is not said, they should stay still.

Instructions

1. Teacher models one step: hold up the Arrival card and say “Simon says: walk into the classroom!” Children pretend to walk in place.
2. Continue modeling for each step:
   • Hang Your Coat: pretend to hang a coat on a hook.
   • Store Your Belongings: mime placing a backpack in a cubby.
   • Name Tag & Rug: sit down quietly on an imaginary rug spot.
3. Start the music softly. Call out commands in a random order, sometimes with “Simon Says” and sometimes without:
   • Example: “Simon says, hang your coat!” → children mime hanging coats.
   • Example: “Store your backpack!” → children must not move.
4. After 6–8 commands, pause music for a short musical cue break (5–10 seconds). Use this time to reset attention.
5. Warm up excitement: speed up commands slightly or lower volume to increase focus.
6. Conclude with all steps in sequence to the music: “Simon says: Arrival → Hang Your Coat → Store Your Belongings → Name Tag & Rug,” encouraging children to perform each step in order.

Cool Down Variation

• Turn off the music and have children whisper the routine steps one by one, pointing to each picture card in order.

Timing: 4 minutes of play within the 15-minute lesson.

Tip for a very active group: Use exaggerated gestures and enthusiastic voice tones. Celebrate correct responses with claps or a short dance move to channel energy positively!

Morning Greeting Warm Up

Objective

Engage preschoolers in a positive, structured arrival routine, practice name recognition, and build community with musical cues.

Materials

• Name Tags
• Welcome Mat
• Morning Musical Transitions Track

Setup

• Place the Welcome Mat by the classroom entrance.
• Lay out Name Tags on a low table in name order.
• Queue the Morning Musical Transitions Track at a low volume.

Instructions

1. As each child arrives, greet them warmly by name and hand them their Name Tag.
2. Invite the child to place their tag on the Welcome Mat and find a spot around it.
3. After 4–5 children have arrived, start the musical track softly to signal others to join and settle.
4. Encourage children to say “Good morning” to each friend seated on the mat.
5. Once all children are settled (or after 2 minutes), pause the music and transition to the next activity.

Timing: 2 minutes

Morning Routine Cool Down

Objective

Provide a calm, supportive ending to our morning routine session, reinforce learned steps, and practice self-regulation with breathing.

Materials

• Circle rug or quiet meeting spot

Instructions

1. Invite children to sit in a circle on the rug.
2. Guide one deep-breath exercise:
   • Inhale slowly for 4 counts (smell the flowers).
     
   • Exhale gently for 4 counts (blow out the candles).
3. Whisper the routine steps as a group, pointing to or miming each:
   • Arrival
     
   • Hang Your Coat
     
   • Store Your Belongings
     
   • Name Tag & Rug
4. Offer praise and positive feedback: “You all did an amazing job following our morning routine!”

Timing: 1 minute.

Leo’s Snack-Time Adventure

Leo skips happily to the snack table. His tummy rumbles because he’s ready for a yummy treat!

Step 1: Wash Hands

Leo steps up to the sink. He turns on the water, pumps soap into his hands, and rubs for 20 seconds. “One, two, three… all the way to twenty!” He rinses and dries his hands until they’re clean and ready.

Step 2: Sit Down

With clean hands, Leo finds a spot at the snack table. He sits down quietly, places his napkin on his lap, and puts his hands in his lap while he waits for everyone to join.

Step 3: Eat Nicely

Leo picks up an apple slice and takes a small bite. He chews with his mouth closed and uses his quiet voice to say, “Mmm, that’s delicious!” When he’s finished, he raises his hand politely if he needs more water or a napkin.

Step 4: Clean Up

After his snack, Leo throws his apple cores and napkin into the trash. He stacks his plate next to the bin and pushes his chair under the table. The snack area looks neat and tidy.
 
 
Leo smiles because he followed the snack routine all by himself. Now he’s ready for our next fun activity!

Snack-Time Discussion Prompts

Use these questions with Snack-Time Picture Cards to guide our chat. Encourage children to point, name, and share ideas.

1. Why do we wash our hands before snack?

(Helps us stay healthy and clean.)

2. Where do we sit when we’re ready to eat?

(Point to the Sit Down card.)

3. How can we eat our snack nicely?

(Use quiet voices, small bites, chew with mouth closed.)

4. What should we do if we drop food or spill our drink?

(Ask for help, clean up, tell the teacher.)

5. When we finish eating, what is our next step?

(Point to the Clean Up card.)

6. How do you feel when everyone helps clean up together?

(Encourage feelings words: proud, happy, helpful.)

Snack-Time Picture Cards

Use these printable cards to help children visualize, sequence, and practice our snack-time routine steps. Print, laminate, and cut out each card for durability and frequent use.

Materials Needed:

• Cardstock or heavy paper
• Printer
• Laminator (optional)
• Scissors

Cards (4):

1. Wash Hands
   Image: Child standing at a sink, rubbing hands with soap.
   Caption: “Wash hands before snack to keep them clean.”
2. Sit Down
   Image: Child sitting upright at a snack table with hands in lap.
   Caption: “Sit down at the table and wait quietly.”
3. Eat Nicely
   Image: Child taking a small bite of snack, smiling, using quiet voice.
   Caption: “Take small bites, chew with your mouth closed.”
4. Clean Up
   Image: Child tossing trash into a bin and stacking their plate.
   Caption: “Throw away trash and tidy up your area.”

Instructions for Use

Sequencing Activity

• Shuffle all 4 cards and lay them face up.
• Invite children to arrange the cards in the correct snack routine order.
• As each card is placed, ask the child to name the step aloud (e.g., “This is Wash Hands!”).

Matching Game

• Create a second set of text-only cards with each step’s caption.
• Mix picture cards with text cards face up.
• Challenge students to match each picture card with its corresponding text card.

Snack Simon Says Extension

• Display all 4 picture cards where everyone can see them.
• Call out commands in “Simon Says” style, holding up the matching card:
  • “Simon says: Wash your hands!” → Children mime washing hands.
  • “Eat your snack!” (without “Simon says”) → Children should stay still.
• Use short musical cues from Snack-Time Musical Cues Track between commands to reset attention.

Print Guidelines

• Print on sturdy cardstock or paper.
• Laminate each card for longevity.
• Cut along the outer border to create large, easy-to-handle cards.

Tip for a very active group: Invite helpers to pass out one card per child, then have them find their “step partner” to form the complete routine sequence before sharing with the class.

Snack Simon Says

A fun, movement-based game that reinforces our snack-time routine steps, sharpens listening skills, and channels energy into positive actions. Perfect for a very active preschool group!

Objective

Students will practice and sequence the four snack-time routine steps by following “Simon Says” commands, strengthening listening, attention, and self-regulation.

Materials

• Snack-Time Picture Cards
• Snack-Time Musical Cues Track
• Open floor space near the snack area

Setup

1. Arrange the four picture cards in a line at child eye level.
2. Queue the Snack-Time Musical Cues Track at a low volume.
3. Explain the rules: when “Simon Says,” children should do the action shown on the card; if “Simon Says” is not said, they stay still.

Instructions

1. Model each step: hold up each card and demonstrate:
   • Wash Hands: pretend to scrub hands with soap.
   • Sit Down: mime sitting quietly at a table spot.
   • Eat Nicely: pretend to take small bites, chew with mouth closed.
   • Clean Up: mime tossing trash and stacking a plate.
2. Play: start the music softly. Call out commands in a random order, sometimes prefacing with “Simon says,” e.g.:
   • “Simon says: Wash your hands!” → children mime washing hands.
   • “Sit down!” (no “Simon Says”) → children remain still.
   • Continue for 6–8 commands, keeping a lively pace.
3. Attention Reset: pause music briefly (5–10 seconds) between rounds to refocus and cheer correct responses.
4. Group Sequence Finale: turn the music to the “Practice with Music 🎵” cue. Lead children through all four steps in order:
   “Simon says: Wash → Sit → Eat → Clean,” encouraging them to perform each action in sequence.

Cool Down Variation

After the final sequence, turn off the music. Invite children to whisper each snack step in order while pointing to the matching card: Wash Hands → Sit Down → Eat Nicely → Clean Up.

Timing: 4 minutes of active play within the 15-minute snack session.

Tip for a very active group: Use exaggerated gestures and enthusiastic voices. Celebrate correct responses with quick claps or a “snack-time dance” to keep engagement high and fun!

Snack-Time Warm Up

Objective

Engage preschoolers in a positive snack-time routine, practice handwashing for hygiene, and smoothly transition into snack with a musical cue.

Materials

• Snack-Time Musical Cues Track
• Handwashing station (sink, soap, paper towels) or hand sanitizer
• Snack table with pre-measured snacks, plates, cups, and napkins

Setup

• Place snacks, plates, cups, and napkins on a low table.
• Position the handwashing station or sanitizer at the table entrance.
• Queue the Snack-Time Musical Cues Track at a soft volume.

Instructions

1. Greet each child by name as they arrive at the snack area.
2. Play the musical cue softly and say, “Let’s get our hands clean before snack—who’s ready?”
3. Invite children one or two at a time to wash hands or use sanitizer, modeling proper handwashing for 20 seconds.
4. Once cleaned, direct each child to pick up their plate, cup, and napkin and find a seat at the table.
5. After all children are seated (or after 2 minutes), pause the music and transition to the next lesson component.

Timing: 2 minutes

Snack-Time Cool Down

Objective

Reinforce the final cleanup step, celebrate teamwork, and transition calmly to the next activity.

Materials

• Trash bin and recycling bin
• Stacking station for plates and cups (table or tray)

Instructions

1. Invite children to stand by their seats and say: “Time to finish our snack routine!”
2. Guide them to toss any trash and recycling into the correct bins and stack plates and cups neatly.
3. Lead the group chant together, pointing to each step with a rhythm:
   • “Wash, Sit, Eat, Clean—Snack Routine’s our winning team!”
4. Offer enthusiastic praise: “You all did an amazing job cleaning up together! Now we’re ready for our next fun activity.”

Timing: 1 minute