Whether your child is just beginning kindergarten, or returning to school after vacations, it’s natural for them to get nervous on the first day of school. Thus, it is important for parents, teachers and even the school to know how they can support the child to handle the new environment.
Dubai Indian school, one of the best schools in Dubai provides a warm and nurturing environment with supportive teachers to make students feel comfortable and safe in the new surroundings.
When is the First Day of School in Dubai?
For most schools in Dubai the first day of the academic year 2022-2023 is 29 August.
Importance of First Day of School
The first day of school is absolutely one of the most important days of the year which sets the tone for academic achievement for the entire year.
In addition to making a strong first impression, the first day of school offers the opportunity to build a learning-centered community by getting to know each other. And also to dive into content and set the pace for the rest of the semester.
21 First Day of School Activities
Activities for Kindergarten School Students:
1. Name Graphing
On the kindergarten first day of school, class name graphing activity can be one fun way for kids to see and hear the names of their classmates. All the students are given a strip of paper with their names written on it to count the letters.
After counting the letters in their names, the students can take turns to place their strips of paper on the name graphs.
2. Mystery Bag
Schools that follow Montessori Curriculum incorporate activities that refine the kids’ various senses such as sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. You can engage the children with a mystery bag activity.
Keep in the bag common materials like pencil, rubber, sponge balls, etc. and ask the kids to touch and guess them. This activity improves their concentration power and refines their senses of touch.
3. Number Hunt
The classroom number hunt is one of the best first day of kindergarten ideas to keep the kids engaged! Kids can work together to find the ten numbered circles around the classroom, then circle or color the school supply shown on that circle.
4. One Dot Club
One of the interesting “first day of preschool” activities is “One Dot Club”. The kids can practice using glue by adding just one dot of glue at a time, and then receive glitter on the dots(glue) to show that they made it into the club!
5. Mini Reader
It is helpful for students to practice coloring with crayons. As the students complete pages of the back-to-school mini reader, remind them about using the right amount of pressure on the crayons so that they don’t break.
6. School Hats
One of the “first day of preschool” ideas for teachers can be making hats. Have your students practice using scissors as they create these fun school hats!
Activities For Primary School Students
1. Name Tag Creation
Ask the students to make a nametag with their names in LARGE, CLEAR letters and tape the nametag neatly on their desks.
2. Sharing What They Learned in Holidays
Ask the children to share with the class what they learned during the summer holidays. This first day of school activity will make them feel at ease.
3. Practice Interactive Modeling
Practice interactive modeling to teach the students key routines for your class.
4. Puzzle Piece
Ask students to decorate a large piece of puzzle with artwork that would represent their favorite hobbies. When it’s complete add the puzzle pieces to one large mural on a green/ white board outside the classroom.
5. Snowball Fight
This simple paper snowball fight is a great get-to-know-you game with tons of fun.
Activities for Secondary school students:
1. Brain Teasers
Ask the students tricky brain teasers to stimulate conversation and keep things light hearted. This can also be one of the first day activities for middle schoolers.
2. Thank You For The Compliment
Each student gets a blank paper taped to their back. The students write a compliment on the back of every other student. When all is done, the students remove the papers and read aloud the compliments.
3. Let’s Decorate the Wall
Split the class into four groups and let each group prepare some creatives to decorate the walls of the classroom.
4. Ask “Would you Rather” Questions
Asking the students some healthy “would you rather” questions will get the classroom talking. Consider a few examples-
a. Would you rather play indoors or outdoors?
b. Would you rather go to a water park or go skiing?
5. Scavenger Hunt
Send the students on a classroom scavenger hunt to help them to get to know the room. Give them a print-out of classroom items to look for and ask them to write a brief description of where they found the items.
Activities for High School Students:
1. Two Truths and One Lie
This is one of the most fun “first day of school” activities in high school. Ask the students to share two true and one false facts about themselves. The other students need to guess which statement is not true.
2. Letter to Yourself
Invite the students to write a letter to their future selves by providing a list of questions and instructing them to answer the questions in complete sentences.
Once they are done, provide envelopes so the students can seal their letters and hand them over to you. Return the letters to the students on their last day of school.
3. Quiz on Pop Culture
This is one of the “first day of class high school” activities that students are sure to enjoy. Divide the class into 4-5 teams. Then ask questions about pop culture, Note down the points scored by each team and announce the winner with the highest score.
4. Create a Time Capsule
Let the students write down their hopes and wishes for the following year. Then put everything in the time capsule and bury it somewhere safe beneath the ground.
At the end of the school year, you can dig up the time capsule and let your students see if their wishes at the beginning of the school year came true.
5. Get on the Chair
The teacher lines up some chairs according to the number of students. Every student is supposed to stand on a chair. Then, the teacher asks students to stand in a certain order, for example from tall to small.
The students now have to change places without touching the ground and without pushing others off the chairs. This “first day of school” game in high school trains the students how to have control of the surroundings.
First Day of School Tips for Parents
1. Describe what usually happens on the first day of school. This will help your child make a mental movie of what to expect and that they do not wonder what to do on the first day of school.
2. Give your child an easy-to-open lunch box. Look for a lunchbox without a complicated clasp and give them pre-peeled fruits.
3. Try to reach a few minutes early to the school. This will allow you to take a little bit of time to get your child into the classroom and settle before you leave.
4. Don’t just leave when your child isn’t looking, say goodbye and tell them you are leaving.
5. Take some time out to meet the teacher and let them know you are the parent to your child.
6. Make sure that you are early when the school ends to collect your child.
7. A child’s worry and fear comes out when they are put to bed. So, prepare for this and start the bedtime routine a little earlier than usual.
First Day of School Tips for Teachers
1. On the first day of school go to your classroom well before school starts, organize your desk and see to it that the class has a pleasant welcoming atmosphere.
2. Teachers can help the nervous little kids feel better and comfortable with a smile and warm greeting.
3. There are a lot of fun games where the students have to share something about themselves. Introducing themselves in this way will not make them nervous to speak in front of the class.
4. On the first day of school, icebreaker questions provide an excellent opportunity to create a welcoming atmosphere.
5. Even if it is the first day of school, assign some tasks to the students, this will set the tone for the entire year.
6. Get to know the students with a one-on-one session with them. Introduce yourself and encourage them to make that personal connection.
7. Provide the students with a 3×5 index card and allow them to write down any questions they have. These questions can also serve as the first day of school icebreakers. Answer the questions and share with them.
First Day of School Wishes for Kids
When it comes to your kids going to school for the first time in their life, just a single first day of school quote can boost up the spirit of your kid instantly.
Here are some great wishes to check out for:
First Day of School Wishes for Girls
1. Sending lots of love and good wishes to the little princess who is just about to start her schooling journey!
2. Do not be nervous when it comes to introducing yourself to your new friends and teachers in class. Good luck my dear!
3. I know you are brave and strong because you’re a bright girl. Happy first day of your school!
4. Make everyone around you feel blessed. Wishing you Good Luck!
5.You’re very adorable and I’m sure you are going to have a lot of new friends on this first day of school.
6. Wishing my little girl a wonderful first day at school!
7. Happy first day of school, my sweetheart! Start it on the right foot with a big smile on your face, and don’t forget to have fun!
8. I know you are scared of being left alone, my child; it is here that you will make a lot of friends. Don’t be scared, all will be well. I wish you the best on your first day of school.
9. It is the first day at school for you, my girl. May you find it enjoyable and make the most of it!.
10. This is the start of a new chapter in your life, my daughter. May you have lots of fun on your first day at the new school!
11. I know you will be successful in every phase of life. Happy first day of school, my sweet little princess!
First Day of School Wishes for Boys
1. The journey will be long and tiring but I have full faith in you my boy that you’ll make it like a king!
2. May you find something to celebrate each day in your school life. Wishing you a cheerful first day of school my prince!
3. You are entering a new phase of life by attending the first day of school. Good luck my boy!
4. Congratulations my son! Wishing you a lot of happiness and joy on the first day of your school.
5. It’s time to impress everyone my boy with your talents. I’m sure your teachers will be very happy to have you in the class.
6. A big box of fun is waiting for you my dear son. You’re going to have a blast! Have a great first day of school!
7. It’s just a matter of a few days before you find out that school is all about fun and pleasure.
8. I am so happy to see you take the first step towards success!
9. All the best for your first day at school. I feel so proud of you, my dear son.
10. From today your teachers and friends are going to be your new family. Have fun with your new family!
11. Nothing can stop you from achieving your goals in life. Best wishes on the first day of school.
Questions to Ask Students on the First Day of School
1. What is your best friend’s name?
2. What is your favorite color
3. What subject do you think you’ll like the most?
4. What is your favorite game to play?
5. If you ever meet a Genie, what wish would you ask for?
6. What do you aspire to become in life?
7. What are 3 things that children can do to help make the world a better place?
How do you Motivate Students on the First Day of School?
Students arrive with a mix of emotions on the first day of school, most of them being nervous. To help them with this, parents can motivate kids by reminding them how much they love them. Let them know that they will be making friends in school and will have a lot of fun together.
If you are a teacher, convey to your students that you care about them and you value their presence in class. Allow students to work together and reward them for any accomplishment. Praise the kids for every single act.
How to introduce yourself in class on the first day of school?
1. Always stand up when it’s your turn to introduce yourself.
2. Smile when you speak even if you are very nervous.
3. Speak in a clear and loud voice.
4. Tell the class about your hobbies and interests.
The new school year brings new faces, new opportunities and new challenges. The fun-filled first day of school activities along with some motivation are sure to break the ice and get all the kids ready for a new and exciting year of learning!