I recently put together a morning routine chart for my son and I, and I thought it would be great to do the same for my classroom. My students do well with visual reminders, especially when dealing with new routines at the beginning of the school year.
morning routine chart helps preschoolers practice independence
I’m a firm believer in encouraging independence in children. No, I don’t expect them to drive themselves to school or anything! 😉 I just know that kids are capable. Yes, they’re learning and growing, but they’re also capable of taking on age-appropriate tasks. It helps them build confidence, independence and a sense of responsibility.
When I talk to my preschool parents, I always encourage them to let their children try doing tasks on their own. Being allowed to do so, both at home and at school, sets the foundation for later on. Both environments are safe places where kids can learn and practice. Their parents and teachers are there to model, assist, guide, and encourage as they become more and more able. Give them responsibilities and they will shine!
To help my preschoolers do this, they have a morning routine when they come into my classroom. They need to hang up their backpacks, set their lunchboxes on the shelf, place their water bottles in the appropriate basket, put away their daily folders, and sign in. Whew, that sure is a long list when it’s typed out! Yet my students are perfectly capable of going about this morning routine on their own.
Of course, I don’t expect it to happen right off the bat. From the first day, I explain and model what they need to do. We do the same things every morning, and I help as needed. However, I don’t just automatically jump in and do the tasks for the kids. I walk them through the process and encourage them to try each step on their own. If they need help, of course I’m there.
The morning routine chart is just a step in this process. It’s there to give the children extra scaffolding as they learn about the classroom routines. Since it has picture cues, it enables the children to try each task on their own. It’s a reference the children know they can consult if need be, and it’s a reference for me as I’m walking them through the morning. I think making a chart WITH the kids in the future will be even more meaningful – they can help me write, and we can add real photos of them completing each task!
As the year progresses, the children better able to run through their morning routine with very few reminders or direct help from me. The preschool parents are often so impressed with how well their kids handle our morning jobs. And the children are so very proud to show their parents all they can do!
Do you have a morning routine chart like this at home or at school? How do the kids use it? If you’d like a free copy of mine, you can grab it HERE.
For more topics on teaching young children responsibility, check out the rest of the #TeachECE team –
Teaching Responsibility in Preschool through Practical Life Skills via The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Teaching Responsibility: Use a Morning Routine Checklist via Mom Inspired Life
Morning Routine Chart for the Preschool Classroom via Fun-A-Day
Teaching Responsibility: Simple Daily Routine Chart for Kids via Learning 2 Walk
Using Group Goals to Teach Responsibility in Kindergarten and Preschool via Capri + 3
Teaching Kids to be Responsible through Literacy Activities via Growing Book by Book
Responsibility Interactive Mini-Book and Memory Game for Preschoolers via Life Over C’s
Homeschool Lesson Plan Checklist via Still Playing School
Teaching Children How to Be Responsible for their Own Backpack by The Educators’ Spin On It