Early Atlas

Activity

Morning Greeting Circle

Children practice polite greetings and following a friendly direction as they start the day together with an adult leader.

Ages 36–60 months

Inspired by HighScope Play-based learning cooperation greetings circle-time following-directions

Supports this milestone

  • engages in prosocial and cooperative behavior with adults. — Head Start ELOF

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Materials

  • A greeting chart with picture choices (wave, high five, handshake, fist bump)
  • Optional soft puppet or talking object passed around the circle

Steps

  • Open with a shared song or chant so children know the routine has begun.
  • Greet the first child warmly by name and offer a greeting choice from the chart.
  • Have the child greet the adult and the next child back, then pass the turn around the circle.
  • Give one simple group direction (such as "show me listening ears") and notice children who follow it.
  • Close by thanking the group for their kind greetings and for following along.

Variations

  • Let a child be the "greeter leader" who chooses the day's greeting for everyone.
  • Add greetings in different languages families speak at home.

Differentiation

  • Offer a picture card to point to for children who are not yet speaking greetings.
  • Keep waits short and seat restless children near the adult for support.

Accessibility

  • Pair every spoken cue with a gesture or picture and allow extra processing time.

Safety

  • Offer no-touch greeting options so children are never required to make physical contact.

Practices these skills

Evidence

Early Atlas