The Morning Routine
It's a school morning. Anita is helping four-year-old Rahul get ready — brushing his teeth, bathing, and eating breakfast.
Key words and phrases
wake upto stop sleepingRahul, it's time to wake up!
brush your teethto clean teeth with a toothbrushPlease brush your teeth before breakfast.
bathwashing the whole bodyIt's bath time now.
get dressedto put on clothesGet dressed quickly, we're getting late.
breakfastthe first meal of the dayEat your breakfast before it gets cold.
comba tool for arranging hair; also, to use itLet me comb your hair.
school baga bag used to carry school itemsDid you pack your school bag?
hurry upto do something more quicklyHurry up, the school bus is coming!
lunch boxa container for carrying food to schoolI've packed your lunch box.
lateafter the expected or usual timeWe're running late for school.
towela cloth used to dry the bodyWrap yourself in the towel after your bath.
soapa substance used to wash the body cleanUse soap to wash your hands.
shampooa liquid used to wash hairWe use shampoo to wash your hair.
uniformspecial clothes worn to schoolPut on your school uniform.
shoesthings you wear on your feetPut on your shoes before we leave.
sockssoft coverings worn on the feet under shoesWear your socks first, then your shoes.
milka white drink that is good for growing childrenDrink your milk before school.
sandwichfood made with slices of bread and fillingI packed a cheese sandwich for lunch.
water bottlea bottle used to carry waterDon't forget your water bottle.
on timenot late, at the right timeWe reached school on time today.
be carefulto act cautiously so as to avoid harmBe careful on the stairs with your shoes untied.
put awayto place something back where it belongsPut away your toys before we leave the house.
say pleaseto use the polite word when asking for somethingSay please when you ask for more milk.
say sorryto apologize for a mistakeSay sorry to your sister for taking her pencil.
wait your turnto wait until it is your chance to do somethingWait your turn on the swing, Rahul.
hold my handto keep someone's hand while walking, usually for safetyHold my hand while we cross the road.
good morninga greeting used early in the daySay good morning to your teacher when you arrive.
how are youa greeting used to ask about someone's wellbeingHow are you today, Rahul?
speak politelyto talk in a respectful, courteous waySpeak politely to your grandparents.
keep your promiseto do what you said you would doYou promised to tidy up — keep your promise, please.
give me a huga request to be hugged, often used affectionately with childrenGive me a hug before you go, I'll miss you at school.
Useful sentences
- Ask Rahul, have you brushed your teeth yet?
- Answer Yes, Mumma, I already brushed them.
- Ask Can I have some milk before my bath?
- Answer Yes, but drink it quickly, we're getting late.
- Ask Where is my school bag?
- Answer It's on the chair, right where you left it.
- Ask Did you pack my lunch box?
- Answer Yes, I packed your favourite sandwich today.
- Ask Why do I have to hurry up every morning?
- Answer Because the school bus doesn't wait for us!
- Ask Have you put on your socks and shoes?
- Answer Yes, both are on already!
- Ask Where is your water bottle?
- Answer It's in my school bag, Mumma.
- Ask Can you wash your hands with soap first?
- Answer Okay, I'm washing them now.
- Ask Is your uniform ironed and ready?
- Answer Yes, it's hanging on the chair.
- Ask Will we reach school on time today?
- Answer Yes, if we hurry up now!
- Ask Can I have a sweet before breakfast?
- Answer No, say please and finish your breakfast first.
- Ask Do I have to hold your hand crossing the road?
- Answer Yes, always hold my hand — you have to be careful there.
- Ask What do I say to my teacher when I arrive?
- Answer Say good morning, and ask her how she is too.
Dialogue
AnitaRahul, wake up! It's time to get ready for school.
RahulFive more minutes, Mumma...
AnitaNo more minutes — brush your teeth and come for your bath.
RahulOkay! Where is my school bag?
AnitaIt's near the door. Now hurry up, or we'll be late!
RahulI'm ready! Did you pack my lunch box too?
AnitaYes, I did. Now let's go, the bus is almost here.
RahulWait, Mumma! I need my water bottle too.
AnitaIt's already in your bag, along with your sandwich.
RahulGreat, now I'm really ready! Let's go!
Common mistakes
- Saying "take a bath" as "do a bath" — the correct phrase is "take a bath" or "have a bath."
- Saying "wear the dress" instead of "get dressed" for the general act of putting on clothes.
- Saying "I am getting late" for a repeated situation instead of "I am running late" or "we are getting late."
- Saying "wear the shoes" loosely for any clothing item — use "put on your shoes" specifically for footwear.
- Saying "I drink the milk" for a completed action instead of "I drank the milk" or "I have drunk the milk."
- Saying "we reached on the time" instead of "we reached on time."
Quick quiz
1. Complete: "Please ___ your teeth before breakfast."
2. A container used to carry food to school is called a ___.
3. "Hurry up" means ___.
4. What do you wear on your feet under your shoes?
5. Complete: "Don't forget your ___."
6. What does "on time" mean?
Practise speaking and listening
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