Settling In Learning Week

Welcome to the Settling In Learning Week! Entering a new classroom, preschool, or childcare environment is a major transition for a young child. This themed curriculum module is specifically designed to ease anxiety, establish reassuring daily routines, build secure attachments with teachers and peers, and make the classroom feel like a safe, exciting home-away-from-home.

Designed as a five-day experience, each daily activity takes 15 to 30 minutes. We suggest running this module during the very first week of school or whenever new children join your group.

MISSION BRIEF: WHAT IS THIS LEARNING WEEK?

The Settling In Learning Week is a transition support module designed to help children adjust to group environments, learn collaborative behavioral boundaries, and discover classroom spaces. We focus on building socio-emotional comfort, introducing positive transition rituals, establishing shared room rules, and playing gentle cooperative orientation games.

TARGET AGE GROUP

This learning week is optimized for Ages 3–6 (Early Childhood). It contains simple adaptation guides to scale the challenge down for younger toddlers (Ages 2–3) or up for older preschoolers (Ages 5–7).

KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES

By completing this thematic unit, children will:

Emotional Resilience: Understand and manage separation anxiety through comforting routines and emotional labeling.
Environmental Orientation: Explore and map key areas of the classroom (reading corner, toy shelves, washing station).
Relational Connection: Practice greeting peers, memorizing names, and cooperating with classmates.
Rule & Routine Comprehension: Identify and follow basic safety, sharing, and cleanup procedures.
Cooperative Physical Play: Develop trust and spatial awareness through partner walks and team circles.

MATERIALS AND PREPARATION

Before starting, gather these standard classroom supplies and items:

A camera or phone to take quick photos (or simple drawings) of classroom zones
A large piece of poster board and colorful markers
Plush toys, soft blankets, or pillows to create a “Cozy Corner”
Paper plates, yarn, washable markers, and safety scissors
A soft ball or plush animal for circle greetings

HOW TO RUN THE DAILY ACTIVITIES

Follow this simple, step-by-step sequence over five consecutive days:

Step 1: Gather children on the carpet. Explain that the classroom is full of fun “islands” to explore.
Step 2: Lead the children on a slow tour of the room: show them where the blocks live, where the books sleep, where they hang their bags, and where to wash hands.
Step 3: Play a short game: “Can everyone show me where the green blocks go? Can you point to the reading corner?”
Step 4: Give each child a small “stamp” or high-five when they successfully locate a key station, helping them feel ownership over their space.

Step 1: Discuss feelings. Ask: “Is it okay to feel a little sad or miss our families when we are at school?” (Affirm that all feelings are welcome).
Step 2: Introduce the “Cozy Corner” — a soft, quiet space with pillows and books where children can sit if they need a calm moment.
Step 3: Brainstorm comforting “Goodbye Rituals” they can do with parents at drop-off (e.g., a special double high-five, a secret handshake, or blowing a pocket kiss).
Step 4: Have children practice “blowing a pocket kiss” to each other, building a shared language of comfort.

Day 3: Our Shared Classroom Agreements (Cognitive & Boundaries)

Step 1: Gather in a circle. Hold up a plush toy. Explain that the plush toy is safe when we use gentle hands.
Step 2: Ask: “What are some agreements we can make to keep our classroom happy and safe?” Guide them to three simple rules: walking feet, gentle hands, and listening ears.
Step 3: Draw simple icons for each rule on a large poster board (e.g., feet for walking, ears for listening).
Step 4: Have each child press a finger dipped in washable paint onto the poster board as their “signature” to seal their classroom agreement.

Day 4: Hand-in-Hand Trust Walks (Physical & Relational Play)

Step 1: Pair children up. Sit them next to their partner and explain: “Today, we are going to be each other’s guiding helpers.”
Step 2: Set up a simple, safe pathway in the classroom using chairs or painters tape on the floor.
Step 3: Have partners hold hands. One partner gently guides the other along the path, pointing out obstacles (“Look, a chair!”).
Step 4: Swap roles so both children experience leading and being led, building deep peer trust and cooperative verbal skills.

Day 5: “Who is in Our Classroom?” Celebration (Creative Arts & Community)

Step 1: Give each child a paper plate and markers.
Step 2: Ask them to draw a self-portrait on the plate, showing their eyes, hair, and a big smile.
Step 3: Sit in a circle. Each child holds up their plate, says their name clearly, and shares one thing they love to play with at school.
Step 4: Tape the paper plate portraits along the classroom wall under a banner that reads: “We All Belong in Our Classroom!”

ADAPTATIONS AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

For Ages 2–3: Keep explanation short. Focus heavily on sensory comforting objects (like soft teddy bears) on Day 2. Skip the partner walk; instead, roll a soft ball back and forth while saying names.
For Ages 5–7: Encourage children to draw their own map of the classroom on Day 1. On Day 3, guide them to write down short sentences for the classroom rules.

DAILY REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION PROMPTS

End each day with a 5-minute reflection circle:

Day 1: Which part of our classroom is your favorite spot? Where do we go if we want to read?
Day 2: What can you do if you start to miss your family during the day? Who can you talk to?
Day 3: Why do we have classroom agreements? How do gentle hands help our friends?
Day 4: How did it feel to hold hands and walk with your partner? Was it easy to trust them?
Day 5: Look at all the smiling faces on our wall. How does it feel to be part of our class team?

DOWNLOADABLE LESSON PLAN

You can view the full five-day sequence, photo guides, and download the high-resolution printable curriculum worksheets in PDF format by clicking below:

Download Settling In Learning Week PDF Pack (Free)

Explore more resources by age group, topic, or learning domain:

Age Groups: Find activities for Ages 3–4, Ages 4–5, and Ages 5–6.
Themed Weeks: Return to the Five-Day Learning Weeks Hub to browse other themes.
Learning Domains: Explore Social-Emotional Learning and Cognitive Development.
Resources: Browse our full library of Early Learning Stories and Early Learning Activities.

Note: All our digital materials are free to download. For custom school curriculum integration or professional training, contact us at team@superbuddy.in.