Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Christmas Wish List Planner: Free Printable Planner for Year 1
- ForYear 1
- StageKey Stage 1
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Christmas Wish List Planner is a free printable English sheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6). Children write their wishes in short sentences. Then they choose one thing to give away, so they think about giving as well as getting. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children fill in a planner with spaces for their Christmas wishes, and there are lines for writing. They can write a short sentence for each wish, or draw first and write afterwards. Then they choose one thing to give away, such as a toy or book they no longer use. The sheet is open ended, so there are no wrong wishes. A grown up can talk about each choice and ask why the child picked it.
- Wish 1
- Wish 2
- Wish 3
- Wish 4
- Wish 5
Getting ready to write
Say it first
Ask your child to say each wish out loud as a full sentence before they write it. Saying it first makes the writing much easier to hold in their head.
Draw if it helps
A quick picture can help a child decide what they want to write. Let them draw first, then add the words.
Sound it out
Encourage your child to say each word slowly and write the sounds they hear. Spelling does not need to be perfect on a planner like this.
Read it back
When a sentence is written, point to each word and read it together. This is how children spot a missing word or a missing full stop.
Why write a wish list?
Writing a wish list is a real reason to write. Children want the list to be read, so they care about getting the words down clearly. A list also keeps sentences short, which suits Year 1. Each wish can be one idea in one sentence, with a capital letter at the start and a full stop at the end.
Christmas is also a good time to talk about giving. Choosing something to give away helps children see that toys and books can be enjoyed by more than one person. Keep the talk gentle. The aim is for your child to make their own choice and say why, not to feel they must give up something they love.
Skills and curriculum link
- Writing short sentences
- Capital letters and full stops
- Reading work back
- Choosing and explaining
- Thinking about giving
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Writing: composition | Year 1 |
What children will be able to do
- I can write a short sentence.
- I can think about what to give as well as get.
- I can read my sentences back.
Helpful writing ideas
- SentencesA sentence says one whole idea. It starts with a capital letter and usually ends with a full stop.
- Finger spacesLeaving a small gap between words makes writing easier to read. A finger can be used to measure the gap.
- Sounding outSaying a word slowly and writing each sound is a good way to try a word you are not sure how to spell.
- Reading backReading a sentence aloud after writing it helps children notice if a word is missing or if it makes sense.
Key words
- WishSomething you would like to have or happen.
- SentenceA group of words that makes sense on its own. It starts with a capital letter.
- Capital letterThe big letter we use at the start of a sentence and for names.
- Full stopThe small dot at the end of a sentence.
- Give awayTo let someone else have something you no longer need or use.
- BecauseA word we use to give a reason, such as why we chose something.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the sheet through together. Talk about what a wish is and let your child say their ideas out loud.
- Let your child write or draw each wish, with a grown up helping where needed. Ask them why they picked each one.
- Help your child choose one thing to give away. Talk about who might enjoy it. Then read the sentences back together and check against page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
A grown up can scribe the words while your child says them. Your child can then copy over the top or underneath, or just draw. Take one wish at a time and stop for a break whenever your child needs one.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to add a reason to each wish using the word because. For example, they could say why a wish matters to them, or why someone else would enjoy the thing they chose to give away.
Make it a game
Go on a hunt around the house to find a toy or book your child no longer uses and someone else could enjoy. Let your child explain their choice, then write a sentence about it together.
Talk about it
- What is the first wish you wrote, and why did you pick it?
- Which wish is the one you want most? How do you know?
- What could you give away that someone else might enjoy?
- Who might like the thing you chose to give?
- How do you think they will feel when they get it?
- How did you check your sentences when you had finished?
Take it off the page
Wish pictures
Draw a picture of each wish on a separate piece of paper. Then put them in order from the one you want most to the one you want least, and say why.
Giving box
Find a box and decorate it. Over a few days, let your child choose things they have outgrown, and a grown up can check they are suitable to pass on.
Sentence scrap
Cut a written sentence into single words. Mix them up and put them back in the right order, then read the sentence aloud.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first wish, then let them lead. Short sessions work well, and you can stop and return later. Praise effort and thinking, and let them talk about their choices.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity in the run up to Christmas. It needs no preparation beyond printing. It links to composition in Year 1 writing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
Home educators
Print it for each child and use it alongside Christmas books, cards and everyday talk. It is easy to repeat for brothers and sisters. Older children can help younger ones to say their sentences out loud before writing.
Where this fits in learning to write
Before this sheet, children learn to say a sentence aloud, hold it in their head and write down the sounds they hear. They also learn to leave spaces between words and to start a sentence with a capital letter. This sheet gives them a friendly reason to put those skills together.
In Year 1 children also join words and sentences using and. The stretch idea with because moves a little ahead of that. Children meet joining words such as because and but more fully in Year 2, when their sentences grow longer and they give more detailed reasons.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What did you write first?
- What would you like to give someone?
- How did you check your sentence?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Christmas Wish List Planner for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Children who are a little younger or older can also enjoy it with a grown up beside them, and you can adjust how much they write.
- What will children practise?
They practise writing short sentences, using capital letters and full stops, and reading their own work back. They also think about giving as well as getting, by choosing one thing to give away.
- How do I use it?
Print both pages and give page 1 to your child. Let them write or draw their wishes with a grown up, and talk about why they picked each one. Keep page 2 for the notes and answers.
- What if it feels too hard?
A grown up can scribe the words while the child says them. Your child can draw instead of writing, or do one wish at a time. Come back another day and try again.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another class, and use it for revision a few weeks later.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
- How long does it take?
It depends on the child. Some write quickly, while others draw first and talk a lot. There is no set time, so stop when your child tires and come back to it another day.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.