Circle and Group Time Ideas

Almost all early childhood child care and preschool programs have at least one group or circle time in their daily schedule. Your group or circle meeting should reflect the needs and interests of the children in your care. Most circle times have some common features: Songs,Calendar and Weather, Stories, and Other Language or Literacy Activities

SONGS

1,2 You know what to do.
3,4 Sit on the floor.
5,6 Your feet you fix.
7,8 Sit up straight.
9,10 Let's listen again.

Hands upon my head I place
Upon my shoulders and on my face
At my waist and by my side
And then behind me they will hide
And then I'll raise them way up high
And let my fingers fly, fly, fly
With a clap, clap, clap
And a one, two, three
Lets see how quiet we can be!

More Songs and Fingerplays for Terrific Transition Times

CALENDAR AND WEATHER

Days of the Week
(tune of the Adam's Family):
Days of the week(clap clap)
Days of the week
Days of the week
Days of the week (Clap Clap)
There's Sunday and there's Monday
there's Tuesday and there's Wednesday
There's Thursday and there's Friday
And then comes Saturday!

Preschool Weather Theme Activities
Days of the Week Coloring Pages
Seasonal Days of the Week and Calendar Numbers to Print
Preschool Patterns and Shapes for Calendars
Week Day Signs and Calendar Pieces (scroll down the page)

STORIES

13 Tips for Reading to a Group

Be sure all children can see and hear the story.
Choose a story that will appeal to your audience and suit the children' s attention span.
Choose a book with bright and large illustrations
Provide an alternate activity for those who lose interest.
Choose books that invite participation though repeated verses or rhymes.
Start by grabbing their attention with "magic story dust" or a calming fingerplay.
Ask questions to set the stage for listening. For example," What do you think will happen to Miffy mouse?"
Substitute the children's names for character names to add interest.
Be flexible. Skip or alter parts of a book as the needs of your young listeners' dictate.
Use props to bring a story alive.
Try a new introduction or attention grabber before starting a story.
Pick a book the children are familiar with. Add their names or make silly mistakes to get their attention
Try asking the children to predict what will happen next.

LITERACY ACTIVITIES

Puppets are a fun way to engage young children in a group discussion or activitity.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PAPER PUPPET
Puppet Building
Mitten puppets
CUP MARIONETTE!
Puppet Scripts
Mainpulation tips
Playfulpuppets

Another popular Circle time activity is felt and flannel boards!

Felt Board Story Templates
Felt Board Activities
Flannel Board Ideas
Felt Board Printables