Getting To Know Your Students in Preschool

Some teachers fail to realize that they're not the only ones who have to learn the names during the first week of school. In preschool especially, where most of the children haven't met before, it can seem like a daunting task to keep track of every new acquaintance. (And almost nearly impossible for children that have difficulty with names in the first place!) Karen Cox, featured in the Teachers.Net Gazette as well as the creator of PreKPages, has compiled a list of activities that you can complete with your preschoolers to help them get to know one another and start off the year on the right foot!

Learning with Bean Bags

Finding common ground and making associations can sometimes make it easier to learn names. Have your students form a circle then toss a bean bag to a student asking them to introduce themselves and answer a fun question (e.g. what's your favorite ice cream topping, color, game, etc.). After answering, have the child toss the bean bag back to you then repeat with another student. Friend B-I-N-G-O

Create B-I-N-G-O cards with photos of your students. As preschoolers won't have a school picture from the year before, take time out of class the first day to snap a picture of each student. Also create a set of "calling cards". Throughout the first week, play the game every day and keep watch for children who need extra help. In some cases they may just have trouble with recall or they may not be as social, etc. and need help getting to know their peers.

For more great ideas, be sure to read Cox's full post at Teachers.Net and visit her blog!

Gazette » Getting to Know You Activities – Karen’s Pre-K Page