Plan Ahead, Shine Ahead: Teaching Elementary Students the Power of Being Prepared

For elementary school counselors, teaching students to be prepared is about more than just having supplies or finishing homework—it’s about helping children build habits of responsibility, planning, and self-management that will support them throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Being prepared helps students feel confident, reduces anxiety, and allows them to take ownership of their learning. When students understand what preparedness looks like—and what it doesn’t—they are better equipped to make positive choices and meet expectations.

What Being Prepared Looks Like (and What It’s Not)

Being Prepared IS:

• Having homework and assignments completed on time
• Bringing necessary materials (pencils, folders, homework, lunch)
• Knowing what’s expected for the day (tests, special classes, events)
• Following a morning or bedtime routine to be ready for school
• Listening carefully to instructions and asking questions when unsure

Being Prepared IS NOT:

• Forgetting materials or homework regularly
• Rushing at the last minute to complete tasks
• Relying on parents or teachers to remind them constantly
• Arriving to school tired, hungry, or disorganized
• Not paying attention to directions or due dates

Helping students see both sides—what preparedness looks like and what it doesn’t—clarifies expectations and builds self-awareness.

Typical Examples Students Can Relate To

Elementary students often face everyday moments where preparedness makes a difference. Counselors can use relatable examples to start discussions or role-play activities:

• Morning Routine: Laying out clothes, packing the backpack, and preparing lunch the night before.
• Classroom Readiness: Bringing pencils, notebooks, and homework to class daily.
• Test or Project Preparation: Studying a little bit each day instead of cramming the night before.
• Social Situations: Remembering to bring a friend’s birthday card or practicing what to say in a difficult conversation.
• Extracurricular Activities: Bringing the right equipment for sports practice or music lessons.

These examples connect directly to a child’s world and make the skill of preparedness both practical and meaningful.

Strategies for Teaching Preparedness

1. Create a Visual Checklist:
   Use pictures or icons for younger students (e.g., backpack, lunchbox, homework folder). Encourage students to check items before leaving for school each day.
2. Model and Role-Play:
   Act out “prepared” vs. “unprepared” scenarios. Ask students to describe what went wrong and what could be done differently.
3. Set Routines and Rituals:
   Encourage consistent morning and evening routines. Reinforce the idea that preparation the night before makes the morning smoother and less stressful.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement:
   Recognize students who demonstrate preparedness. Create a “Preparedness Star” wall or give small tokens of recognition.
5. Teach Planning Skills:
   Introduce simple tools like calendars or planners. Teach students how to look ahead at upcoming assignments and plan their time.
6. Connect Preparedness to Values:
   Discuss how being prepared shows respect—for themselves, their teachers, and their classmates. It’s part of being responsible, trustworthy, and dependable.
7. Incorporate Reflection:
   After group activities or lessons, ask students: “What helped us be prepared today? What could we do better next time?”

Counselor Discussion Starters

• What does it mean to be prepared?
• How does being prepared make your day easier?
• What happens when we aren’t prepared?
• How can we help each other be ready for class or activities?
• What can we do at home to make sure we’re ready for school each morning?

These questions can be used in individual counseling, small groups, or classroom lessons.

The Counselor’s Role: Building Lifelong Skills

Teaching preparedness helps students develop executive functioning skills, such as organization, time management, and planning—all key predictors of school success. Counselors can weave this concept into character education programs, SEL lessons, and classroom guidance to strengthen both academic and personal growth.

Preparedness isn’t just about getting ready—it’s about being ready to succeed.