Plan a ritual or activity to allow parents and children to get to meet you and preferably each other. Send a postcard to the child expressing your excitement for the new school year. Plan a picnic or outing to a local park prior to the first day of school so the children can meet you and each other. Visit each child's home for a special introduction that also gives you a glimpse into the child's life. Or schedule playtime in the classroom with parents and children before school begins. The first day of school should not be the children's first contact with you.
Before the school year starts, label a bin for each child's things. Cut footprints out of construction paper and affix them to the floor with contact paper so children know where to put their shoes (if you allow children to remove shoes). Label bins of toys and books so children know where to find materials. Coming into a classroom for the first time is an overwhelming experience for children, but if you have things well-organized and labeled, children will quickly adapt.
The first day of school is often emotional for parents and children. Decide ahead of time how to handle difficult separations and plan comforting, engaging activities. Read a story, such as "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn, which discusses the first day of school. Allow parents to stay for a while if necessary. Invite children to bring their favorite stuffed animal to school on the first day. Offer modeling clay, sand or water activities to soothe and distract children, and plan a fabulous snack.
Limit extensive curriculum plans the first two or three weeks, and instead focus on helping children learn the routine. Make posters with visuals to help children understand the daily schedule. Teach children how to perform simple daily tasks, such as lining up, washing hands and cleaning up toys. Also discuss social-skills, such as how to get a friend's attention, how to ask for a turn and how to trade for a toy. These tasks might seem trivial, but if you spend time teaching them early on, your classroom will run more smoothly all year long.