Life with sonja

Starting a new school year with a fresh group of little learners is always an exciting adventure! This year, I’m welcoming five new children into my home daycare, ranging in age from 12 months to 3 years. To help everyone settle in and feel comfortable, I’m kicking things off with a theme that’s close to every child’s heart — All About Me.

Why “All About Me”?

This theme is all about helping children explore their own identities and learn about their friends. It’s perfect for the first week because it builds connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging — key ingredients for a happy, thriving classroom.

How I’m Setting Up Our Space

Classroom

I’m creating a warm, welcoming environment filled with visual cues that celebrate individuality. Mirrors at child height invite self-exploration during art and play. A large butcher paper outline of a body on the wall helps with naming body parts during circle time. Photos of each child and their families will be displayed to build a sense of community.

Feeding Area

Our feeding area will be set up with personalized placemats featuring each child’s name and favorite color, making mealtimes feel special and encouraging language as children talk about their favorites and family routines.

Outdoor Space

For outdoor play, I’m incorporating sensory activities that connect with the season, like a pumpkin washing station or a water bin with floating letters and figures. This area encourages exploration and social interaction while enjoying fresh air.

Learning Centers

• Art Center: Self-portrait materials like mirrors, crayons, and yarn for hair.
• Dramatic Play: A “home” setup with dress-up clothes, play phones, and pretend family photos.
• Small World Play: A neighborhood scene with houses, people, and pets to spark storytelling.
• Block Center: Blocks paired with familiar objects like schools, homes, and family figures.
• Science Table: Exploration tools for senses — magnifying glasses, smell jars, and texture bags.
• Writing Area: Name tracing sheets and drawing materials to encourage early literacy.

A Sneak Peek Into Our Week

Here are some of the activities I’m excited to share with my little learners:

• Circle Times featuring fun songs like “Hello, [Name]” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” paired with engaging fingerplays and stories like I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont.
• Craft Projects such as self-portraits and family collages that encourage creativity and self-expression.
• Sensory Play with both indoor discovery bins and outdoor fall-themed activities like pumpkin washing or water play.
• Dramatic Play centers set up as cozy home areas where children can role-play and build social skills.
• Science Explorations focused on our five senses, helping children notice and describe the world around them.
• Plus, fun music and movement games to get everyone up and moving!

Multi-Age Friendly

Because I care for a mixed-age group, my plan includes adaptations and activities suitable for toddlers through preschoolers. From simple name games for the youngest to early writing and math activities for the older children, there’s something for everyone.

Want the Full Plan?

This is just a glimpse into our All About Me week. If you’re a preschool teacher, daycare provider, or homeschooling parent looking for a complete, ready-to-use weekly lesson plan — including detailed circle times, crafts, sensory activities, math, science, dramatic play ideas, parent communication blurbs, and more — I’ve got you covered.

You can find the full All About Me preschool lesson plan in my Teachers Pay Teachers store here:
All About Me

I hope this helps make your back-to-school season joyful and stress-free!

Warmly,
Sonja