Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Wow Moment Notes to Home: Free Printable Card Set for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Wow Moment Notes to Home is a free printable card set for Reception (ages 4 to 5). A teacher, key worker or parent cuts out a card and uses it to share good news about something a child has done, such as trying a new food, tidying up or being brave. It needs only paper, scissors and a pencil. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help and a stretch idea.
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. Page 1 holds the cards and page 2 is for the grown up. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Page 1 is a set of cards to cut out. Each one starts with the word Wow and names a small achievement. Examples are trying something new, helping a friend, counting all by myself, sharing toys, writing my name, tidying up, listening well and being brave. A grown up picks the card that fits, writes the child's name and the day on the back, and sends it home in a book bag. The child then tells the family what happened.
- Wow! I tried something new today.
- Wow! I helped a friend.
- Wow! I counted all by myself.
- Wow! I shared my toys.
- Wow! I wrote my name.
- Wow! I tried a new food.
- Wow! I tidied up.
- Wow! I listened well.
- Wow! I was brave.
Making each note count
Pick the real moment
Choose the card that matches what the child actually did. An honest note means more to a child than a general one, and families can see exactly what to celebrate.
Write on the back
An adult writes the child's name and the day on the back of the card. This helps families know which moment the note is about, even if it is read later.
Tell the child first
Read the card aloud before it goes home. The child hears the good news from you and has the words ready to tell a grown up at home.
Send it home
Pop the card in a book bag or hand it over at the end of the day. Families can then talk about it, and some may like to keep it on display.
Why share small wins with families
The Early Years Foundation Stage runs from birth to the end of Reception. Personal, Social and Emotional Development is one of its main areas. It covers things like confidence, managing feelings and getting along with others. Notes home fit well here because they celebrate everyday moments, not only big results. A child who listens well or helps a friend is learning something important, and it is worth saying so.
Young children often find it hard to answer the question, "What did you do today?" A card gives them something to hold and a way in. Families can ask a few kind questions, and the child sees that the people who matter to them have noticed. Over time, this builds a link between home and school that children can feel.
Skills and curriculum link
- Pride
- Confidence
- Talking about my day
- Home and school links
- Noticing kindness
Ideas for the grown up
- Be specificSay what the child did, not only that it was good. "You waited for your turn" tells a child more than "good boy" or "good girl".
- Praise effortNotice trying, kindness and sticking at something. These are things every child can do, whatever they find easy or hard.
- Share the cards fairlyOver time, try to send a card home for every child. Keep a simple list so that quiet children are not missed.
- Let the child tell itAsk the child to explain the wow moment in their own words. Listen first. Then add anything you saw that they left out.
Key words
- Wow momentA time when you did something you feel good about.
- ProudA warm, happy feeling when you or someone else has done something well.
- BraveDoing something even when it feels a bit scary.
- ShareLetting someone else use or have some of what you have.
- TryHaving a go, even if you are not sure you can do it yet.
- NoteA short message written down to tell someone something.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 has the cards. Keep page 2 for the grown up.
- Cut out the cards. For younger children, an adult can do the cutting.
- Choose the card that matches something the child really did. Write the child's name and the day on the back.
- Read the card to the child, then send it home in a book bag or give it to the family.
- Come back to the cards another day. Repeating a familiar routine helps children feel confident and proud.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Read the card aloud to the child before it goes home. Point to each word as you read. Ask the child to say what happened in their own words. Say it together once or twice, so they feel ready to tell a grown up at home.
To stretch confident children
Add one extra sentence on the back saying exactly what the child did. Include a detail, such as which friend they helped or what they tidied. Confident children can say the sentence aloud first, and an adult can write it down word for word.
Make it a game
At home, ask the child to act out the wow moment for the family. Everyone guesses what it was. Then put the card on the fridge where everyone can see it. Add a new card each time one comes home.
Talk about it
- What happened that made you say wow?
- How did you feel when you did it?
- Who was there with you?
- Was it hard or easy? What helped you?
- What would you like to try next?
- Who would you like to tell about it?
Take it off the page
Proud drawing
Ask your child to draw their wow moment. Write a short caption underneath in their words. Add it to the fridge next to the card.
Wow time at tea
At a family meal, take turns to share one wow moment from the day. Grown ups join in too, so children see that everyone has them.
Acting it out
Use soft toys to show a wow moment, such as sharing or helping a friend. Ask your child what the toy should say and do.
Who it is for
Parents
Read the card with your child, then ask them to tell you the story. Listen first. Keep the card somewhere your child can see it, and talk about it again at bedtime.
Teachers
Use the cards as a quick way to link school and home. Write the child's name and the day on the back and send one home in a book bag. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting.
Home educators
Use the cards to mark moments in your own setting, such as a new skill, a kind act or a brave try. Share them with grandparents, tutors or friends so the child hears the good news more than once.
Where this fits in a child's learning
Before this, children learn to name how they feel, take turns and talk about what they have done. Simple praise and kind words at home and in nursery all help. These cards turn that everyday encouragement into something a child can hold and share.
Later on, children build on this by talking about their strengths, being a good friend and setting small goals for themselves. A habit of noticing effort and kindness in Reception gives them a good start for the years that follow.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Wow Moment Notes to Home for?
It is written for Reception, which is ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The cards use short, simple sentences. Grown ups read them aloud, so children do not need to read them alone.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again whenever you need more cards, for example for brothers and sisters or a whole class.
- How do I use the cards?
Cut out a card that matches something the child did. Write the child's name and the day on the back, then send it home in a book bag. The child can tell their family what happened.
- What if a child finds it hard to explain?
Read the card to the child before it goes home. Say the wow moment together, so they have the words ready. They can then tell a grown up at home in their own way.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can colour the cards in if they would like to, which adds a personal touch.
- Can home educators use it?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use the cards on their own or as part of a wider plan. Share the card with another family member so the child can tell the story again.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers and key workers can use the cards at the end of a session or day. It needs no preparation beyond printing and cutting, and page 2 gives help and stretch ideas.
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.