The beginning of the school year brings excitement, new faces, and for many of us, nerves about how to set the right tone. One of the most powerful things you can do in those early days is establish clear, consistent classroom routines. Doing so not only builds a smooth-running classroom but also helps prevent behavior issues before they start.
In this blog post, we will walk through how to create routines that actually stick, support your students’ needs, and build a classroom culture where everyone can thrive.
Why Spend Extra Time on Routines?
Whether your students are new to school or returning from summer break, they’ll need time to get back into the swing of things. Skills like following directions, working with classmates, and handling transitions might not come naturally, and that’s okay! These foundational skills require time and support, particularly early in the year.
Taking time to clearly teach routines helps:
- Reduce anxiety and uncertainty
- Increase student independence
- Prevent inappropriate behavior before it starts
- Maximize instructional time long-term
- Students learn appropriate ways to express feelings
Tip: It’s tempting to jump right into academics, but investing time upfront to teach and practice routines pays off immensely later on. Well-taught routines are, in fact, one of the most effective ways to prevent disruptions that can negatively impact daily classroom life.
Maslow Before Bloom
You’ve likely heard the phrase “Maslow before Bloom,” and it’s especially true at the start of the year.
Bloom’s Taxonomy emphasizes academic skills like analyzing, evaluating, and creating. But Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs reminds us that before students can succeed cognitively, they need foundational needs met: safety, connection, and emotional security.
That means…
- A hungry child can’t focus on reading
- A child who feels unsafe won’t participate in a group activity
- A student overwhelmed by anxiety is unlikely to engage in higher-order thinking
By creating a predictable, nurturing classroom environment and explicitly teaching routines, you help meet those specific needs so that learning can follow.
“If students are to grow intellectually, they must feel safe, supported, and respected in the classroom.”
— Hammond, Z. (2015). Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
So yes, those extra moments spent reinforcing routines, checking in with a student, or creating calm transitions are part of academic success. You’re laying the foundation for everything else.
Disruptive Behavior Issues at the Start of the Year
Even in the most welcoming classroom, you might see disruptive behaviors such as:
- Talking out of turn
- Wandering around the room
- Interrupting lessons
- Refusing to follow directions
- Struggling with transitions
These challenging behaviors aren’t signs of a “bad class;” instead, they signal adjustment. Early in the year, students may act out for various reasons:
- Feel anxious or overstimulated in a new space
- Testing boundaries to feel safe
- Be unfamiliar with school norms (especially after disrupted preschool or primary experiences)
- Have unspoken needs (hunger, tiredness, worries at home)
- Limited by age or communication skills, making it hard to express needs or control impulsive behavior
- Be learning to navigate social settings in a structured environment
- Lack of clear rules in other environments (e.g., home, previous school)
Understanding the “why” behind these common behavior issues helps you respond with compassion and consistency. When in doubt, ask:
“What need might this student be trying to meet?“
One of the most effective ways to prevent and reduce these behaviors is by intentionally teaching routines, just like any academic skill.
How to Teach a New Routine (Step-by-Step)
It’s not enough to tell students what to do; the first step is teaching routines the same way we teach any new skills: clearly and repeatedly.
Here’s a simple step-by-step method:
- Explain the routine – Be specific and use kid-friendly language
- Model the routine – Show them what it looks and sounds like
- Practice it – Let students try it out right away
- Provide feedback – Gently correct or praise as needed
- Repeat! – Practice multiple times a day and across several days
In the primary grades, I put a ton of effort into drawing students’ attention to other students who are following expectations. This can be as simple as, “I see Noemi getting to work right away!” or “Wow, Zach put the supplies away just like I showed you all.” Most students enjoy a little “shoutout,” and this will motivate many other students to follow their lead.
You’ll also want to proactively reteach when routines begin to slip and student behavior issues increase (often before or after a break) — this is totally normal! Routines aren’t set-it-and-forget-it; they’re built through repetition.
Use Visuals to Reinforce Expectations
Visual reminders are incredibly powerful, especially for young learners, multilingual students, and those who struggle with working memory.
That’s why we created these Classroom Routines & Procedures Visual Posters & Slides!
These resources include:
- Kid-friendly posters for common classroom and school routines
- Matching Google Slides to use during whole group discussions or morning meetings
- Visuals for voice levels, partner work, and independent tasks
The more students see the expectations, the more likely they are to follow them. Plus, these visuals enable nonverbal prompts, the best way to support students quietly without drawing attention.
How to Get Family Members Involved
Parents and caregivers are powerful allies when it comes to reinforcing routines. When the grown-ups in the child’s life understand your expectations, they can echo those same habits at home, and that consistency makes a big difference in helping students thrive.
Here are a few easy ways to involve them:
- Share your classroom routines in newsletters or at Back-to-School Night
- Send home visual cues (like your voice level chart) for use during homework
- Use communication tools like our Parent Notes Pack (English & Spanish) to share quick updates about behavior (and don’t forget positive behavior!)
- Ask for input. For example, you might say: “What routines work well for your child at home?” This invites collaboration and builds trust.
- Collaborate when challenges arise –”We’re practicing staying seated during appropriate times. Here’s the language we’re using in class, feel free to try it at home too. If you’ve found a different way that works well, I’d love to hear about it!”
Building a shared language between home and school supports healthy parent-child relationships and helps students feel supported in all areas of their daily lives.
Reminders for Success
- Use proximity – A quiet way to support students who need redirection
- Engage students – The more meaningful and interactive your routines are, the more likely students are to buy in
- Talk one-on-one – Private conversations about behavioral problems help preserve student dignity and strengthen connections
- Look for the “why” – All behavior communicates something; stay curious and supportive
- Start fresh each day – Give your students (and yourself) the gift of a clean slate each day
Establishing classroom routines takes time, but it’s time well spent. When routines are clear, consistent, and supported visually, your classroom becomes a space where students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn. And while behavior issues may still occur, having strong routines in place gives you a foundation to respond calmly and effectively.
If you need a little extra support, don’t forget, the Classroom Routines & Procedures Visual Posters & Slides are a great tool to keep expectations front and center.
Here’s to a smooth, successful start to your school year! ❤️
Happy Teaching!
References
- Hammond, Z. (2015). Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. Corwin Press.
