Welcome to School!

Overview

This 30-minute session is designed to warmly welcome Reception children (ages 4-5) to their new classroom and begin building foundational literacy skills through name recognition and writing. It foregrounds social interaction and personal sharing to support speaking and listening skills, as well as fine motor development through name tag creation. The activities directly align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and support early stages of the National Curriculum for English.

National Curriculum & EYFS Links

Early Learning Goals (EYFS framework - English)

Communication and Language – Listening, Attention and Understanding: Children listen attentively in a range of situations.
Communication and Language – Speaking: Children express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs.
Literacy – Comprehension: Children demonstrate understanding of what has been read to them.
Literacy – Word Reading and Writing: Children link sounds to letters and begin to write for meaning.

Literacy Development Focus (Reception)

Recognise their own name and begin to form letters correctly.
Engage in conversations about themselves and their interests using full sentences.
Develop fine motor skills through mark-making and writing activities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

Recognise their own name and some peer names visually and verbally.
Begin to write their own name using appropriate letter formation.
Communicate verbally about their name and one thing they like, fostering speaking confidence.
Become familiar with classroom routines and develop a sense of belonging.

Resources Needed

Pre-cut brightly coloured card/name tag templates
Large alphabet letter cards (upper and lower case)
Pencils, crayons, or markers
Name stickers (optional for initial name recognition support)
Display board or wall space for name tags
Storybook about starting school (e.g., a simple picture book focusing on “All About Me”)

Timing & Activities

0-5 mins | Welcome & Circle Time Introduction

Greet pupils individually by name to create a warm atmosphere.
Introduce the day’s focus: “We are going to say our names and share one thing we like!”
Read an engaging story about starting school and personal identity to spark interest and set context.
Use speaking prompts: "My name is ___. I like ___." Model using your own example.
Encourage children to listen closely and respond, supporting understanding and listening skills.

5-10 mins | Name Recognition Game

Show large alphabet cards and demonstrate how letters combine to form names.
Hold up cards to spell a child’s name, encouraging them to repeat or point to the letters.
Use a fun “Find Your Name” game activity — names scattered on the floor or on tables, pupils locate their own.
Support children who need help by pairing them with a buddy or using name stickers as a scaffold.

10-20 mins | Name Tag Creation & Writing Practice

Provide children with pre-cut name tag cards.
Encourage them to write their names using the pencils or crayons. Teacher and teaching assistants circulate offering letter formation guidance.
For children not yet confident, provide letter tracing templates or alphabet cards as prompts.
While working, prompt children to say their name out loud and share something they like with a partner or in a small group.

20-25 mins | Sharing Circle

Sit pupils back in a circle with their finished name tags.
Invite 5-6 children to come forward one-by-one to say their name and something they like.
Encourage listeners to make positive comments or ask simple questions to develop turn-taking and social skills.

25-30 mins | Display & Routines Introduction

Demonstrate where name tags will be displayed in the classroom.
Explain brief classroom routines linked to name tags (e.g., putting name tag on desk/hook).
Praise effort and participation. Finish with a short settling activity such as a calming breathing exercise or a familiar song related to coming to school.

Assessment & Next Steps

Formative Assessment During Lesson

Observe children's ability to recognise and say their names confidently.
Monitor fine motor control and letter formation attempts—note children who may need additional support.
Listen to children’s speaking and listening skills when sharing information about themselves.

Feedback to Parents/Carers

Provide positive comments on children’s engagement and name writing confidence.
Suggest simple activities to reinforce name recognition at home (e.g., playing name card matching games).

Planning for Future Lessons

Build on name writing by introducing initial sounds and simple phonics.
Increase opportunities for children to speak about themselves and their interests.
Introduce role-play areas linked to “All About Me” themes for richer language immersion.

Differentiation

For children with emerging fine motor skills: Provide name tags with name already printed and allow tracing.
For children with English as an additional language (EAL): Use pictures alongside names to aid comprehension; pair with speaking buddies.
For more confident writers: Challenge to write an additional word about something they like (e.g., “dog,” “mum”).

Tips for Teachers

Use positive reinforcement to build a welcoming and safe environment.
Engage visually and kinaesthetically by incorporating songs, movement (e.g., clapping out names), and colourful materials.
Monitor and gently correct letter formation to establish good habits early.
Make the experience memorable by taking photos of the children with their name tags (with parental consent) to display in classroom portfolios.

This session not only serves literacy goals but also nurtures a strong classroom community where each child feels recognised and valued — setting the tone for a joyful year of learning.