Let’s be real: the first week of school in an early childhood or primary classroom can feel like a tornado of tiny backpacks, big feelings, and constant questions. Whether you’re teaching preschool, pre-K, kindergarten, or even first grade, that first week is full of unknowns—but it doesn’t have to be full of stress.
With a little planning, some classroom routine magic, and engaging hands-on activities, you can start the year in a way that sets the tone for connection, structure, and FUN. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to structure your first week of school with developmentally appropriate routines and low-prep activities that work across the early childhood and primary grades.
And yes— that ‘Groovy Cat’ is coming along for the ride!
Start with Structure (But Keep It Flexible)
Whether you’re teaching a group of 3-year-olds or 6-year-olds, all young learners benefit from predictable structure. Begin your first week with a basic daily rhythm that includes things like morning meeting, read-aloud time, centers, snack, and outdoor play. Keep your transitions slow, simple, and well-explained. Use visuals, songs, and modeling to help students begin to understand the flow of their day.
The goal this week isn’t sticking to the clock—it’s introducing students to what daily life in your classroom looks and feels like.
Routines First, Academics Later
You’ll have plenty of time to dig into academics later. Right now? Focus on routines and expectations. Practice how to sit at the carpet, how to transition between activities, how to line up, raise hands, or work independently.
Repetition is key here. Build in opportunities to model, practice, and positively reinforce each expectation multiple times a day. Your future self will thank you when routines are locked in and learning can happen without chaos.
Keep It Play-Based and Low-Pressure
In early childhood and primary grades, play is learning. Fill your centers and morning tubs with open-ended materials: building blocks, play dough, puzzles, crayons, and manipulatives. These kinds of activities allow children to explore, collaborate, and get familiar with the classroom environment in a low-pressure way.
This is also a great time to observe your students—how they interact, problem-solve, and follow directions.
Use Read-Alouds to Build Community and Expectations
Books are a wonderful way to reinforce routines and social-emotional learning. Pete the Cat books are some of my go-to choices for the first week of school. They’re relatable, fun, and packed with simple messages students can connect with.
Read Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes when you introduce classroom or school tours. Use Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons to talk about rolling with changes. And Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes is perfect for reminding students to stay cool when things don’t go their way.
Plus, they tie in perfectly with one of my favorite first-week-of-school resources…
Groovy Cat Activities for a Smooth First Week (No Matter the Grade)
My Groovy Cat First Week of School pack is designed to make the first days easier while reinforcing routines and expectations. Here’s how you can use the activities across your first few days:
First Day: Start with the Groovy Cat First Day Crown. It’s fun, engaging, and gives students something special to wear home. While they work, you can teach table routines, model supply expectations, and ease into the day.
Second Day: Introduce the Color and Shape Review Pages to practice coloring skills and reinforce classroom procedures like cleaning up, sharing materials, and staying in your space.
Third Day: The find and color activity is great for teaching direction-following while building fine motor skills and SHAPE recognition.
Fourth Day: Bring out the Number and Letter Mats during center time or small group rotations. These reinforce academic skills while you continue teaching expectations for working independently and rotating through centers.
Fifth Day: Wrap up the week with a fun Groovy Cat craft and let students share their favorite part of the week. You’ll be reinforcing classroom community and giving them something to proudly take home or hang up.
Prep Ahead So You Can Be Present
Take time before the first day to prep all your materials, label bins, and make copies of your must-use activities. When your week is prepped and ready, you can focus on being fully present with your students—and handling those first-week curveballs with confidence.
Trust me, having your Groovy Cat activities organized and your routines mapped out will free up that precious mental space you’ll need.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re brand new to the classroom or just new to this age group, your first week doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on routines, relationships, and readiness (with just the right touch of Groovy Cat fun), you’ll set yourself—and your students—up for a successful year in preschool, pre-K, kindergarten, or the primary classroom.
You’ve got this. And if you need a little help along the way, Groovy Cat and I are right here cheering you on!
