Successful Preschool Circle Time - Fun Activities for Kids

Preschool circle time is when all the children sit together as a group in a circle. It usually takes place in the morning a little bit after short morning free play. Use circle time to introduce a topic, discuss social situations and connect as a group.

How long is circle time?

It can vary from 15 to 30 minutes depending on the maturity of the children and their interest.

Success depends on:

Being prepared - have more activities than you can cover. Go over your lesson plans. Keep in mind the following questions: What is leading your lesson for today? What would you like the children to know by the end of circle time?

Variety of activities - Circle time should include: Songs, games and movement. By keeping Multiple Intelligences Theory in mind your will reach more children. For example:

* Begin with a song about the letter B. (Music Smart)

* Use a paper chart to brainstorm words that begin with B. (Picture Smart)

* Trace the letter B in the air with your hand. (Body Smart)

* Turn your body into the letter B. (Body Smart)

* In partners - Give the children picture cards. They need to sort the pictures that begin with the letter B. For children who are almost reading, give the word on a card instead of the picture. (People Smart)

Everyone is actively engaged - Break up the kids for a few minutes by giving them a task to do in partners or small groups. Here are some examples:

* Every group has a color and they need to find 10 items in the room that are the same color.

* "Turn to your partner and tell them your parents' names and something special that you like to do as a family." Ask the children to face the circle again and ask partner A: "What did partner B share with you?"

I was recently at a workshop and learned this great little trick:

Popsicle Trick - An easy way to make sure that everyone is focused, listening and engaged. Write the name of each child on a popsicle stick and put them all in a jar. The child that has their name pulled out has a turn to talk, answer the question or contribute to the discussion.

Be Flexible - There are days that you might have a great circle planned but instead an incident occurred in class that needs to be addressed. Take the opportunity to teach the children valuable life lessons and turn your preschool circle time to circle T.I.M.E.