Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Magic Words for Day One: Free Printable Card Set for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Magic Words for Day One is a free printable card set for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children cut out speech bubbles, read four short everyday scenes and stick each bubble in the panel where it fits best. They practise polite words for joining in, asking for help and speaking up. It needs only scissors, a glue stick and a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and the 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 meet four small scenes from a school day. Friends are building, someone needs the toilet, a friend shares a swing and a lunch box will not open. They cut out the speech bubbles, say each phrase aloud and decide which scene it suits best. Then they stick it in the panel. There are also boxes for drawing or notes.
- 1. Friends are building with blocks. You want to join in.
- 2. You need a wee. Your teacher is close by.
- 3. A friend gives you a turn on the swing.
- 4. You cannot open your lunch box.
- Can I play, please?
- I need the toilet, please.
- Thank you!
- I need help, please.
What you will need
Print both pages on plain A4 paper. Black and white is fine. Keep page 2 for the grown up.
Cut
Children cut around each bubble. Little hands often find scissors tricky, so an adult can help or cut the bubbles out in advance.
Say
Read each panel aloud together. Then the child says each phrase out loud before choosing where it goes.
Stick
Check the choice, then stick the bubble down with a glue stick. Use the drawing or note boxes to add ideas.
Why teach magic words before school starts?
Starting Reception means new faces, new rules and a lot of things to ask for. Some children know exactly what to say at home but go quiet in a big room. Practising short, polite phrases in a calm setting gives them words ready to use. When a child has the words, asking feels easier, and that helps them feel settled.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children's personal, social and emotional development includes learning to manage themselves and build relationships. Small everyday moments matter here: joining a game, saying thank you, asking for help. Acting out scenes and talking about them is a gentle way to practise, because children learn best through play and talk.
Skills and curriculum link
- Polite asking
- Matching words to scenes
- Speaking up for needs
- Listening and talk
- Cutting and sticking
Ideas for helping your child
- Say it firstRead each scene aloud in a clear voice. Children often find it easier to choose once they have heard the scene spoken.
- Act it outLet your child be the person in the scene. Doing the actions makes the words feel real and easy to remember.
- Model the toneSay the phrases in a friendly voice. Show that polite words can sound calm, clear and kind.
- Ask, do not tellAsk, "What could you say here?" before showing the bubble. Let your child try their own words first.
Key words
- Magic wordsPolite words that help us ask, share and be kind.
- PoliteKind and respectful in the way you speak and act.
- BubbleA shape on the page that shows the words someone says.
- PanelA box on the page that holds one scene.
- Join inTo take part in a game or activity with others.
- Speak upTo say clearly what you need, so a grown up can help.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read each panel aloud. Ask your child what is happening and how the person in the scene might feel.
- Let your child cut out the bubbles, say each phrase out loud, then stick it in the panel where it fits best.
- Talk about each choice together. Ask, "Why did you pick that one?" Check against the answers on page 2.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Do one panel together. Read the scene aloud, then act it out with your child. Hold up two bubbles and say each one. Ask which sounds right for the scene. Leave the other panels for another day.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to draw themselves in each panel. Then they can think of another magic word to add, such as sorry. Ask when they might say it, and act out a short scene using the new word.
Make it a game
Role play the four scenes with soft toys. Take turns to be the child who speaks up. The other players are the grown up or the friend and reply kindly. Swap roles after each scene.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child sticks the bubbles down quickly without reading or saying them.
Try thisSlow it down. Ask them to say each phrase out loud before they stick it. Hearing the words helps them think about the scene.
Watch forA child will not say the words aloud, or whispers.
Try thisLet a soft toy say the phrase first. Then say it together, then ask your child to try it alone. No pressure.
Watch forA child thinks more than one bubble could fit a scene.
Try thisTalk about it. Ask which words fit best and why. Page 2 has the answers, but the talk matters as much as the sticking.
Talk about it
- What do you say when you want to join in a game?
- How do you feel when someone says please and thank you to you?
- Who can you ask for help at school?
- Why is it good to tell a grown up when you need the toilet?
- What could you do if you are too shy to ask?
- Can you think of another magic word? When would you use it?
Take it off the page
Teddy school
Set up a pretend classroom with soft toys. Your child is the teacher. Each toy has to ask politely for something, and your child replies kindly.
Snack time manners
At snack time, practise asking for things with polite words. Praise the words, not only the snack.
Draw a day one picture
Draw a picture of the first day at school. Add speech bubbles above the people, with the words they might say.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Read each scene aloud and act it out. Praise the effort and the speaking up, not only the sticking. Keep it relaxed and short, and come back to it before the first day or any time a new setting is coming up.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, table activity or supply resource. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and cutting out can be done in advance for younger or less confident children. It links to personal, social and emotional development. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
Home educators
Pair this with picture books about starting school, role play and everyday talk. Practise the phrases at real moments, such as asking for help at the shops or joining in at the park. Print it again for brothers and sisters or to revisit in a few weeks.
Where this fits in
Before this sheet, children usually learn to listen to a grown up, take turns and name simple feelings. They may already use some polite words at home. This sheet helps them link words to everyday moments in a school setting.
After it, children can practise in real life: asking to join in, saying thank you, asking for help and telling an adult what they need. Later they can build on this by learning to say sorry, share ideas in a group and talk about their feelings with friends.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Magic Words for Day One for?
It is written for Reception, ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger or older children can enjoy it too if they like role play and talking through everyday situations with a grown up.
- What will children practise?
They practise choosing and saying polite words to join in and ask for help. They match words to scenes and speak up for their needs. It supports PSHE work on building relationships and managing self.
- How do I use it?
Read each panel aloud. Children cut out the bubbles, say each phrase, then stick it where it fits best. Do the first go together and talk about each choice. Check the notes and answers on page 2.
- What if it feels too hard?
Do one panel together. Act out the scene first, then let your child pick the bubble. Stop when they have had enough and come back another day. Repeating the activity builds confidence.
- Is it free, and do I need colour?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No colour is needed. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, and you can print again for brothers, sisters or later practice.
- 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 has help and stretch ideas for mixed groups.
- How long does it take?
It depends on the child. Some will want to do the whole sheet in one go. Others will do one panel and stop. Short, relaxed sessions work well, and you can spread the sheet over several days.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.