First Day Preschool: 3 Simple Things I Always Do

Wondering what to do on the first day of preschool? After nearly 20 years in the classroom, I've found that keeping the first morning simple makes all the difference. These are the first three things I always do to help children feel comfortable, build routines, and start the year off successfully.

The first day of preschool is exciting—but it can also feel a little overwhelming.

Some children walk in ready to explore. Others cling tightly to a parent. A few burst into tears and need to be held.

I’ve learned that the first morning goes best when I keep things simple and put out activities children already enjoy. My goal is to help them feel safe, successful, and excited to come back tomorrow.

1. First Day Preschool Table Activities

Instead of expecting everyone to sit on the carpet right away, I have simple activities waiting at each table before children arrive.

In my classroom, I usually have four tables with something different at each one. I might set out building bricks at one table, magnetic tiles at another, pattern blocks at another, and crayons and paper at another.

Giving children a choice helps them settle into the classroom at their own pace. If they're feeling nervous, they can choose an activity that already feels familiar.

If someone heads toward a center, I simply redirect them by saying, "We're playing at the tables right now. We'll play at centers later."

Having most of the children engaged at the tables gives me a few extra minutes to greet families, answer parents' questions, and comfort the little ones who need a little extra reassurance. You're probably still going to have a crier on your hip, but it's much easier when the rest of the class is busily playing at the tables.

Magnetic tiles tend to be one of the most popular choices, especially when I add a few simple building mats. They're familiar, hands-on, and don't require a lot of directions, making them perfect for those first few minutes of the day.

I sometimes add magnetic tile mats for children who want a little more structure. Some will copy the designs, while others will use the tiles to build their own creations. Either is perfectly okay.

The goal isn't completing the activity—it's helping children feel comfortable, engaged, and excited to be in the classroom.

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2. Songs, Songs, Songs!

Once everyone has had a little time to settle in at the tables, we head to the carpet for one of my favorite parts of the morning—music.

I like to start with songs that are familiar to many children. Familiar songs help them feel successful right away because they already know some of the words and motions. Then I add a few classroom favorites we’ll keep using throughout the year.

A few familiar songs can help the whole group relax, participate, and feel successful right away.

Here are a few of my favorites for the first day of preschool:

Itsy Bitsy Spider — Hap Palmer

This is usually one of the first songs we sing together. Many children already know the words and motions, so they can join in right away. Hap Palmer’s version adds just enough variation to make the song feel both familiar and new.

Open Shut Them — Hap Palmer

This is a simple hand-motion song that works especially well with preschoolers. The movements are easy to follow, repetitive, and perfect for helping everyone participate together.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes — Hap Palmer

This familiar favorite gets children up and moving. Hap Palmer’s version adds just enough variation to keep it interesting while still feeling familiar.

Shake It to the East — Kathy Reid-Naiman

This one is always a hit with egg shakers. We shake left for “east,” right for “west,” spin around for “shake it all around,” and pretend to sleep for “and then we take a rest.” My class LOVES this one—so much so that we use it all year long!

Shake My Sillies Out — Raffi

This is a fun movement song that children almost always love. It’s perfect when the class needs to move, laugh, and reset before the next activity.

The first day isn’t about getting through a long circle-time plan. A few simple songs, some movement, and lots of participation are usually enough.

3. Teach Your Hand Washing Song (Then Visit the Bathroom)

Before we ever walk to the bathroom, we practice the entire hand washing routine together at the carpet.

I start by saying, “Okay, friends, we’re going to learn a song that will help us do our best job washing our hands.”

Then we talk about the tops and bottoms of our hands.

“Everybody show me the tops of your hands. Which way is that? Yes—those are the tops! Now let’s find the bottoms.”

Once everyone understands the motions, I sing the first line slowly and demonstrate it. Then we repeat it together before moving on to the next part. I show, they copy, and we repeat.

Do they master it on the first day? Not even close.

That’s okay. The goal on the first day is simply to introduce the routine. As we sing the same hand washing song throughout the week, children begin to remember the steps and become more independent at the sink.

By the end of the week, they’re usually much more independent—and hopefully actually washing their hands instead of just getting them wet for two seconds!

This is the scrubbing song visual I use during the first week of school. Singing the same song every day helps children remember the routine and become more independent at the sink.

👉 Looking for the complete Hand Washing Song Visuals?

You can find them here.

Once we've practiced the song, it's time to visit the bathroom.

I show the children exactly where to go, how to lock and unlock the stall, where to flush, wash their hands, and throw away their paper towels. Even routines that seem obvious to us may be brand new to some preschoolers.

👉 Need extra support teaching bathroom routines?

My Bathroom Routine Visuals with Real Photos walk children through each step with real classroom photos.

I teach the bathroom routine right away because children will need it throughout the day. I skip the full school tour on the first day and save it for later in the week.

Keeping the first day simple gives children time to settle in and gives me time to focus on the routines that matter most. That simple foundation makes it much easier to build routines throughout the rest of the week.

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Need a few books that will actually hold their attention? These first day of preschool books are short, funny, and easy to read with a brand-new class.