Table activities are those things a child can engage in while sitting quietly at the table. This includes such activities as puzzles, playing with small toys, and looking at books. Educational activities stimulate a child's mind first thing in the morning. Keep little hands busy in the morning with creative crafts, such as coloring. Print pictures of each letter of the alphabet. Allow the child to use his imagination to color his letter. Free indoor play is another option and does not require the child to remain seated. Free play includes block playing or ball playing.
Take the fun outside and begin some physical activities, such as hula hooping or an old-fashioned game of hot potato. Go for a game of Simon Says or organize the class and perform stretching exercises to prepare children for the day. Start off the day with some outdoor free play. Have the children play Hide-n-Seek to burn off energy before going back into the classroom for lessons. Hide-n-Seek promotes physical activity and is entertaining for preschool kids. Check with your school to find out if a garden is possible. Early arrivers can water the plants.
Play an educational DVD. The children can recite the alphabet and the numbers with kid-friendly puppets. The kids can listen to an instructional music CD, such as "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." Instructional CDs require children to listen and to follow instructions.
Go for group warm-up activities. "Ring Around the Rosy" is a simple game that warms up kids for the day. Gather the children on the carpet and start the morning with story time. Hone in on thinking skills by creating a bulletin board with the letter of the week. As each child arrives, have her look at the bulletin board and the letter of the week. The child should think of a word beginning with the letter. When the entire class has arrived, each child will recite his word.