Presentation

  1. 1

    Greet each child by name at their eye level every morning, and greet other adults in front of the children.

  2. 2

    For the lesson, sit with one or two children and a partner adult or an older child.

  3. 3

    Walk to the partner, stop an arm's length away, and look at their face.

  4. 4

    Wave and say: 'Hello, Ada.' The partner waves and says: 'Hello, Ms. Lee.'

  5. 5

    Invite the child to wave or say hello to the partner. Accept a wave, a look, or a word.

  6. 6

    When a friend arrives in the morning, say to the child next to you: 'Look, Sam is here. Hello, Sam.' Wave, and let the child join in or not.

  7. 7

    At the end of the day, say goodbye to each child by name in the same way.

Extensions, easiest to hardest

  1. Look at the group photos and name each friend
  2. Greet a visitor at the door
  3. Sing a greeting song that names each child

Control of error

The other person answers the greeting; if the greeting is not seen or heard, there is no reply.

Ready to move on when the child…

  • Waves or says hello to a friend without a prompt
  • Says or points to a friend when their name is said
  • Answers a greeting with a look, wave, or word

Guide note

Hugs or handshakes are never required. Some children and families avoid eye contact or touch for cultural or sensory reasons; accept a wave or a spoken greeting alone.

Try “pink tower”, “tummy”, “diaper”, “grace and courtesy”, or “October”.