What is circle time?
If you have attended an EarlyON program or have a child who attends childcare, you may have heard of circle time. Maybe you leave programs early and have never attended circle time with your child and don’t know what it is or what to expect. Over the last little while I have had some good discussions with parents and caregivers and I thought this would be a good opportunity to answer some questions that I have heard, that others may have as well.
Circle time is an activity where children and adults gather in a group or in a circle, in a designated area to engage children in a variety of fun facilitator led activities, such as singing songs, counting, dancing, reading stories. Facilitators are intentional in their planning of a variety activities to promote social interaction, learning, and the development of essential skills, for multiple age groups.
Why does each facilitator do circle time differently?
Every circle time is usually a little different. Just like no two people are the same usually no two people do circle time the same way! We all have songs, stories, and activities that we are comfortable with and enjoy doing with our groups. Some also have talents they love to share with their groups such as playing the ukulele or playing the piano.
EarlyON facilitators try to get to know the people who visit our programs, to make sure the activities are enjoyable for as many as possible. If we see children are very busy and like to move, we will try to do more active activities, songs and stories that help get the group up and moving in a positive way. If the children are younger staff may choose to do songs and activities that are more adult/child interactive.
Why is circle time at different times of the day?
Circle time can be done at any time of day! Some facilitators choose to do circle time at the beginning of the program to bring everyone together and help start your day in a fun positive way, and maybe introduce families to one another and provide information to help make the most of your visit.
Some facilitators like to do circle time in the middle of the program to benefit and reach the most people in the program before some of the youngest visitors get tired or hungry and may have a harder time joining in the group.
Other facilitators find that circle time at the end of program is a great way to come together at the end of the day and transition into saying goodbye because it is easier for children to head home after they have had some closure to the day.
What if my child doesn’t participate in circle time?
That’s ok, not every child sits or participates in circle time. Sometimes it takes many times before they are comfortable and want to take part. They are little and learning what circle time is and what is expected of them. If they don’t want to join the group that is okay. Children learn by example so if children see their adults sitting participating in the group activities they may sit and participate with them.
What if my child is disruptive?
If your child does not have any interest after some gentle encouragement that’s okay. Try to help your child choose a quiet activity such as a puzzle, craft, or playdough close by.
Don’t get discouraged if you think they are not interested. Sometimes you may think they are not paying attention, but they might not feel comfortable in a larger group setting yet and may enjoy watching from distance, let children know they can try again later if they want. It can take a few days or even a month or two and then they may surprise you by wanting to join.
Often children are very excited and confident during circle time and they may enjoy getting very involved, which is wonderful! We want them to participate, however we want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and has a chance to participate and see what is happening. We encourage everyone to participate from their spot with their adults.
What if I don’t feel comfortable participating in circle time?
It is understandable that not everyone enjoys singing or participating in the activities. However seeing the adults sitting at circle time encourages more to join and can help some children feel more comfortable to join.
How does circle time benefit me and my children?
Circle time can provide a great opportunity for children to interact with other children in a structured setting which is a great way to practice social skills. They learn to listen, to follow instructions, and to respect others by learning to wait their turn to speak or participate in the activities.
Exposing children to different types of music, dance, songs, and stories can be a great way to introduce children to new learning experiences together, helping to enrich their vocabulary and develop their understanding of language and benefit overall literacy skills.
My child wants to do circle time at home, but I don’t remember the songs.
We try to sing a variety of old and new songs because we want to make it easy for families to participate by singing songs we think most people know and also teach a few new ones.
Here are some favourites:
If You’re Happy and You Know It
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, then you really wanna show it.
If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
If you’re happy and you know it, stamp your feet. (repeat)
If you’re happy and you know it, shout hurrah hurrah. (repeat)
If you’re happy and you know it, do all three.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high.
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
The Wheels on the Bus
The wheels on the bus go round and round; round and round’ round and round.
The wheels on the bus go round and round, all through the town. (Roll hands around each other)
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish; swish, swish, swish; swish, swish, swish.
The wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish, all through the town. (“Swish” hands in front of you like windshield wipers)
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep; beep, beep, beep; beep, beep, beep.
The horn on the bus goes beep, beep, beep, all through the town. (Slap palm in front of you like honking a horn)
The doors on the bus go open and shut; open and shut; open and shut.
The doors on the bus go open and shut; all through the town. (Open and close hands together front of you)
The driver on the bus says “Move on back, move on back, move on back;”
The driver on the bus says “Move on back”, all through the town. (Point thumb over your shoulder)
The babies on the bus say “Wah, wah, wah; wah, wah, wah; wah, wah, wah”.
The babies on the bus say “Wah, wah, wah”, all through the town. (Rub fists in front of eyes)
The mommies on the bus say “Shh, shh, shh; Shh, shh, shh; Shh, shh, shh.”
The mommies on the bus say “Shh, shh, shh” all through the town. (Hold index finger in front of mouth as if saying shhh)
Old McDonald had a farm.
Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee i ee i o
And on his farm he had some cows, Ee i ee i oh
With a moo-moo here, and a moo-moo there
Here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo-moo
Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee i ee i o
Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee i ee i o
And on his farm he had some chicks, Ee i ee i o
With a cluck-cluck here, and a cluck-cluck there
Here a cluck, there a cluck, everywhere a cluck-cluck
Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee i ee i o
Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee i ee i o
And on his farm he had some pigs, Ee i ee i o
With an oink-oink here, and an oink-oink there
Here an oink, there an oink, Everywhere an oink-oink
Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee i ee i o
Sleeping Bunnies
See the little bunnies sleeping until noon (lie down and pretend to sleep) Shall we gently wake them with a merry tune? They’re so still, are they ill? (pause)
Wake up little bunnies! (jump up from the floor) Hop, hop, hop! (hop up and down like a bunny) Wake up little bunnies! Hop, hop, hop! Wake up little bunnies! Hop, hop, hop! Wake up little bunnies hop, hop and stop! (show your child how to stop when they hear the word stop)