Hello Educators,

I am introducing a series of tips to help home childcare educators with their morning transitions. Operating a mixed-age home childcare has challenges, especially the morning routines. Having activities and operating systems that encourage learning, discovery, and curiosity, no matter the age in your daycare, is important to our daily flow. Designing intentional strategies helps to bring a sense of peace and order to our already busy mornings. That’s why I’m kicking off a series of 10-morning tips designed to smooth out your morning transitions and boost productivity. These tips support individual learning and group harmony, ensuring every child feels welcome and engaged right from the start.

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Using puzzles to help morning routine. My 3 years old completed these puzzles on her own – child-led

The Importance of Structured Mornings in Mixed-Age Childcare:

Let’s face it: mornings in mixed-age childcare or any daycare setting can get pretty hectic. Children of different ages walk in at different times, each with their own needs and levels of independence. Over the years, structured morning tasks can cut through the chaos and set the stage for a successful day – by setting clear expectations and engaging activities. I create an environment that fosters a sense of belonging and community among the children, helping them transition from home to childcare. And here’s something interesting: I don’t rely on TV to keep the daycare kids occupied. Instead, I set up engaging ‘play invitations,’ like this puzzle activity done by one of my 3-year-old.

Flip puzzles over for ease of identification so children can be successful.

Implementing  Your Routine:

Let’s dive into “The Learning Journey: Match It! – Spelling” puzzle, a fantastic addition to your morning routine that offers a structured yet fun learning experience. Set up this self-correcting spelling puzzle at a dedicated learning station where the children can dive in, one-on-one or in small groups, as they arrive. Here’s a pro tip for the younger ones who might find the puzzle challenging: start them off with three-letter word puzzles and gradually introduce the four-letter words as they get the hang of it. Scaffold them to say the letters aloud as they piece the puzzle together, boosting their phonetic and verbal skills.

My 3 year old assembling the puzzle pieces.

Some Benefits of Incorporating This Puzzle in Your Childcare:

• Enhanced Literacy Skills: Children improve letter recognition, spelling, and phonics, setting a solid foundation for reading and writing.
• Vocabulary Development: The game introduces new vocabulary through images and words, enriching a child’s language skills.
• Cognitive Development: Solving the puzzle encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Fine Motor Skill Improvement: Handling the puzzle pieces helps develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• Independence and Confidence: The puzzle’s self-correcting nature encourages kids to learn from their mistakes and see their progress, boosting their confidence.
• Patience and Persistence: Completing the puzzle teaches patience and persistence, crucial life skills for personal and academic success.
• Social Skills: Children working in groups foster communication and teamwork, teaching them to share and cooperate. If the morning gets too hectic with new arrivals, consider making it a solo activity until everyone’s settled and can take turns.

My 3-year-old examines the images on the puzzle box cover for guidance.

Conclusion:

Adding any kind of puzzle to your daycare morning routine introduces a rich learning experience that enhances literacy and cognitive, social, and emotional development. To have a successful morning that is manageable for your time, I suggest offering this activity to children who are already capable of achieving success. This blog post is just the beginning of our journey to create a nurturing, educational, and fun environment for every child. Stay tuned for more tasks that build on this foundation, offering a variety of learning experiences tailored to your mixed-age home childcare. 

My preschooler sang ‘goose on the loose’ while assembling the puzzle pieces.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next in the Series:

Next week, we’ll explore Task 2, focusing on sensory play to engage children’s senses and encourage exploratory learning. It’s perfect for all ages and will open opportunities for creative expression and fine motor skill development.

What morning activities have worked best in your childcare setting? 

 I’d love to hear from you. Subscribe to the newsletter, and let’s exchange ideas. Together, we can make every morning in childcare a win.

See our other tips designed for Home Child Care Educators:

Tip #1 Home Childcare Morning Routine Using Puzzles  (this article)

Tip # 2 Home Childcare Routine Using Playdough + Loose Parts  

Tip #3 Free Play in a Home Childcare – Morning Routine

Tip # 4 Transform Your Home Childcare with a Music Box  

Tip # 5 Benefits of Dramatic Play: Effective Strategies for Your Home Childcare

Until next time, I’m Miss Sue, right in the trenches with you.

Bonus Tip – If the puzzle’s original box is worn out or if you’re short on storage space, consider storing your puzzles in a large bag. Instead of discarding or donating loose pieces, laminate the instructions for durability