Preschool Circle Time Routine That Your Preschoolers Will Love
Circle time in a preschool class is a wonderful way to start the day, build a sense of community, and set a positive tone for the rest of the day. In this blog post, I will guide you through the process of planning a circle time routine that your preschoolers will look forward to each morning.
Circle time is an essential part of our daily routine that brings joy, connection, and learning to our little ones. It is a structured activity that creates a positive and fun atmosphere where they can participate in interactive games, sing songs, and engage in other enjoyable activities.
What is the importance of Circle Time?
Circle time provides an opportunity for the children to engage in educational activities such as storytelling, singing, counting, identifying shapes, learning letters and numbers, and more. Through these activities, children develop cognitive skills, language skills, and early literacy skills. Circle time also helps in developing listening skills, following instructions, and building attention spans.
It also promotes connection among the children. By sitting in a circle, they can see and interact with each other more easily. This encourages socialization and builds relationships among the children. They can share their thoughts and ideas, listen to others, and learn to take turns, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Preschool Circle Time Routine That Preschoolers Love
Circle time is one of our favorite parts of the day. Given the limited attention span of preschoolers, it is crucial to keep our time together concise. Although we cover a substantial amount of material, I make every effort to ensure that it does not exceed 30 minutes. This is how our circle time routine is structured:
Greeting
Every morning, the preschoolers gather together on a carpet in a circle to start their morning meeting. Once we are all seated, I start the meeting off with a warm greeting to each student individually. Then, each child takes turns saying “Good morning” to the person sitting next to them. This activity helps the children practice greetings, helps them feel valued, and sets a positive tone for the rest of the meeting.
Daily Schedule
During circle time, we take a moment to discuss the daily schedule for our preschool day. To make it easier for the children to understand and anticipate the activities ahead, we use visual aids, such as a picture schedule. This visual representation provides a clear and concrete way for the children to see what is planned for the day.
We go through each activity on the schedule, pointing to the corresponding picture and explaining what it entails. This helps the children develop a sense of structure and routine, promoting a feeling of security and predictability. Additionally, we take the opportunity to mention any changes or special events happening during the day. Whether it’s a guest speaker, a field trip, or a themed celebration, we make sure the children are aware and excited about these special moments.
Calendar Time
Calendar time is an exciting opportunity for the children to learn about time, days of the week, and months of the year. We begin by displaying a colorful and engaging calendar for everyone to see. Together, we identify the current date, discussing the number and the day of the week it falls on. This helps the children grasp the concept of time and understand the progression of days.
We also take a moment to talk about the month we are in, exploring special events or holidays associated with it. Calendar time not only enhances their understanding of time but also nurtures their cognitive skills, such as counting, pattern recognition, and awareness of the passage of time. It sets a foundation for organizing their thoughts and daily routines while promoting a sense of structure and routine within our classroom community.
Weather
One of the highlights of our circle time is the weather discussion, where we engage in observing and discussing the weather outside. We start by looking out the window and they will share what they see. Using visual aids or symbols representing different weather conditions, I encourage them to describe the weather using appropriate vocabulary. This activity not only develops their language skills but also fosters their ability to make observations and connect with the world around them.
By discussing the weather, the children understand how it can influence our daily activities and clothing choices. It also sparks curiosity and opens up conversations about different seasons and climates. Through our weather discussions, the children are empowered to become little meteorologists, learning about and appreciating the ever-changing world outside our classroom.
Question of the Day
Our question of the day is an exciting and interactive part of our morning meeting. It provides a platform for the children to express themselves and share their thoughts and preferences. there is a wide variety of questions to keep things interesting and engaging. Sometimes, I pose open-ended questions that allow the children to express their likes, and dislikes, or share their experiences.
Other times, I incorporate questions that encourage them to explore concepts like colors, sounds, or other sensory experiences. This diverse range of questions stimulates their critical thinking skills, creativity, and language development. It also adds an element of fun and surprise to our circle time, keeping the children actively involved and eager to share their unique perspectives.
Group Activity
After the Question of the Day, we transition into a fun and engaging group activity that keeps the children excited and energized. This activity varies each day to ensure that we don’t repeat the same type of activity every time. It could be a lively game that promotes cooperation and teamwork, a catchy song that gets everyone singing and moving, or a creative movement activity that allows the children to express themselves physically.
By switching up the activities, we keep the circle time dynamic and fresh, catering to different interests and learning styles. These group activities not only provide an opportunity for laughter and enjoyment but also promote social interaction, motor skills development, and cognitive engagement. It’s a time when the children can bond, collaborate, and have a blast together, creating lasting memories within the circle of our classroom.
Classroom Jobs
Each morning during circle time, we take a few minutes to assign classroom jobs for the day, ensuring that each student has a new responsibility. To begin, we display a visual representation of the different classroom jobs using a job chart or picture cards. This visual aid helps the children easily understand and identify their assigned tasks.
Then, I take the time to explain the purpose of each job and how it contributes to maintaining a clean, organized, and welcoming classroom environment. By highlighting the importance of each role, we instill a sense of pride and responsibility in the children. This practice also encourages them to take ownership of their classroom and teaches them the value of working together as a team.
Sharing Time
Every Friday during our circle time, we have an exciting event called show and tell. It’s a special opportunity for each student to bring in an item of their choice and share it with the class. Anticipation and excitement fill the room as the students eagerly take turns presenting their special items.
Show and tell not only allows the children to express their individuality but also nurtures their communication skills and boosts their confidence in public speaking. As each student shares their item, they have the chance to practice describing, explaining, and answering questions about it.
Closing Circle Time
As we reach the end of our circle time, I always make it a point to take a moment and express my sincere gratitude to the students for their active participation and valuable contributions. I wholeheartedly thank them, highlighting their specific efforts and achievements during our time together. Whether it was answering questions, sharing during the show and tell, or engaging in group activities.
