The first day or week of school can be incredibly exciting but also a bit scary for many children. This is especially true for children with ADHD, autism, or behavioral differences.
Developing connections, a safe classroom environment and trust from day one is incredibly important and can set the tone for the rest of the school year.
Even though ice breakers are a great way to start, the truth is, that not all of them will work for every child.
For this reason, I’ve compiled a list of ice breakers that truly work as they are inclusive of various learning needs so that your children get to know each other and you get to know them as well. I’ve also found a way to help you organize your first hour so that you can really get to know your students and create a connection with them.
Actionable Steps:
#1. All About Me
Students need to feel comfortable and secure when they learn. Giving your students a way to get to know each other will help reduce first-day anxiety, build your classroom community and provide them with a space to have fun together.
You can do it with the following activities. They are structured but flexible and fun but not overwhelming. CLICK HERE to download ice breakers and CLICK HERE to download All About Me.
#2. First Hour – Let’s Get Active
Creating an inclusive environment is essential for the first day, week or even month of school. The first hour that your children are in your classroom is crucial as this is when they’ll create their impression of you and their peers.
I used the following resource in my classroom and it’s worked brilliantly. It allowed me to get to know much students’ names, they learned about each other and I gained insight into their strengths, challenges and interests. It also helped my students who were struggling socially to connect with their peers.
You can download this resource by CLICKING HERE.
#3. Back To School Social Stories
Teaching children through back-to-school social stories are important because it teaches them how to transition from summer to being at school, it promotes positive social interaction as children learn how to talk to teach each and therefore, reduces anxiety. These stories can provide visual aids, simple text and exact phrasing to empower children to confidently navigate through their school environment. These stories are perfect children of various learning needs.
You can find a FREE PLAYLIST OF SOCIAL STORIES BY CLICKING HERE.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The reasons why it’s important to have a strong start for the first day or week of school.
- Three strong start first day of school icebreakers that actually work: all about me, first hour-let’s get active, and back to school social stories.
Free Resources:
In the mean time, if planning so that you’re ahead is not your jam, then check out the following: FREE MASTERCLASS: Systematic Plan to Super Passionate.
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
You’re welcome to join us inside ADHD and Autism Self Regulation by CLICKING HERE or on the fallowing image.
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully.
