Preschool Circle Time Got You Down? Get Things Going With These 4 Tips
Every teacher will run their circle time differently. If yours isn't turning out exactly as you expected for it to or you are just worried that it won't run smoothly, here are a few tips to get things on track and ensure your preschool kids take a bit more interest in circle time:
Keep Circle Time Short.
The thing with preschoolers is that they are very active and have a very short attention span. While older kids may be able to sit for longer periods of time, you aren't going to keep these little ones in a circle for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. After all, these are two- and three-year-olds you are dealing with. So you are going to need to keep your circle time short. If you need to, you can schedule two circle times a day so that you can get in all that you want to in a day.
Get the Kids Actively Involved.
When it comes to circle time, you should always want to get the little ones involved. They should not be passive observers. Circle time needs to be an interactive experience. It can be as simple as passing something around so that they can each take a closer look at it or singing a song. Alternatively, you can dig a little deeper and retell a story. Whatever the case may be, it is critical that you get them involved.
Involve All the Children, But Watch for the Shy Ones.
It is important that you ensure all the students participate in circle time and feel like they are a part of the group. However, at the same time, you don't want to force anyone to do something that they aren't ready to do. This is particularly true for children who are new to the school experience and are shy. These children may need just a little bit more time to come out of their shell and feel comfortable participating. Encourage these children to watch, listen, and sense what is happening and to join in with the rest of the group when they feel comfortable and ready to do so.
Get the Kids Moving.
Since you are going to have them involved, you might as well do something that can get them physically active every now and then. This is perfect for when you decide to use music. Even without music, you can make movement work. You can make stories up or have the kids move along to a book that you are reading. This will help expel some energy out of their bodies and engage them in circle time.