Preschool Routines: Easy Wins for Week One

Let’s be honest—those first few days back aren’t about perfect lesson plans. They’re about finding your rhythm, calming the chaos, and connecting with your tiny humans (preferably before the glitter hits the carpet).

Over the years, I’ve found comfort in routines that are gentle but effective. The kind that work whether your bulletin board is half-hung or your coffee’s gone cold.

My Favorite First-Week Wins:

  • Visual schedules to help kids know what’s next (and ease transitions)
  • Arrival printables for calm morning starts—coloring, tracing, sorting
  • Clean-up songs to turn tidying into a giggle-worthy ritual
  • Soft prompts at circle time, like “Tell me one thing you did with your hands today”

And the best part? These routines aren’t just calming for the kids—they help us feel grounded too.

If you're looking for simple printables that support your classroom flow, we've pulled together a few favorites to make your first week a little smoother.

Check out our back-to-school resources
Visit our Back to School for teacher-made printables designed to ease transitions, spark smiles, and support your routines—especially when the glue sticks disappear.

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Up Next: What’s in My Summer Teacher Bag? From must-have markers to snack stashes and sunblock—I’m sharing the colorful chaos that lives in my real teacher bag (and what I actually use on-the-go). Peek inside and maybe grab a few ideas for your own summer setup!