We’re off to a busy start of the New School Year. Thank you for the beautiful sunflowers that came in this morning. They reminded me of the children on their first day: bright eyed and smiling about all that we did today. I know that some children go home and talk a lot about their time in school and some say very little (or nothing). Listed below are some ‘Conversation Starters’, along with answers, to help you and your child talk about their first day at school.

1. Did you wash your hands after you hung up your school bag? yes

2. What color is your name tag? Orange (and your child’s photo is on their name tag)

3. Did you use the bathroom at school? yes Did you wash your hands after the bathroom? yes

4. Did you wash your hands before snack? yes Did you open your napkin? yes

5. What did you have for snack? Birthday Bunnies because it is James’ birthday today

6. What did you do after snack? cleaned up snack and read books on the rug

7. What did you do in the Big Room? possibilities: large cubes for climbing and jumping, balance beam, rocking boats, build with cardboard blocks, and balls with a basketball hoop

8. What story was read during Circle Time? Clifford the Big Red Dog What friend came out of the red bag after the story? Clifford (hand puppet)

9. Who ate the cheese that Mrs. Levine held in her hand? a mouse

10. Did you go to the playground? yes

11. What songs did you sing? 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’, ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’'

We also listened to three songs on my new bluetooth speaker and followed along with all the actions in the song. It was a great way to add some movement time around our classroom rug. Our returning students already know the classroom routine and the new children will learn it very quickly; they settled in so well today it was hard to tell that it was their first day.