A Preschool Circle Time Routine that Really Works (Part 1)

============================================================

In this week's episode of Elevating Early Childhood, I discuss something suuuper important: Circle time!

As you know, circle time is pretty crucial in pre-k, and having a successful and effective one can be difficult.

Why? Simply because most children have short attention spans, which means keeping them focused on circle time can be quite the complex task.

But, I'm here to help!

Which is why, first things first, I want you to know that, when it comes to circle time, working smarter, not harder, is the solution.

What does that entail, exactly?

Tune in right now to find out!

==========================

Key Takeaways:

- Why is it difficult to have a successful circle time? (00:00)
- Ingredient #1: Understanding young children's attention spans (01:58)
- Ingredient #2: Balancing active and passive during circle time (03:19)
- Ingredient #3: Have all your materials prepared in advance (05:31)
- What to do when your students don't listen during circle time (07:03)
- How to fit everything during circle time (08:32)
- What to do if your students don't participate (12:42)
- Component #1: The picture schedule (16:25)
- Component #2: Taking attendance (17:11)
- Component #3: Story of the day (19:07)
- Component #4: A participatory song (20:19)
- Component #5: Review your schedule (20:34)

==========================

Additional Resources:

💠 Visit our website to find tons of pre-K teaching resources here:

💠 Get my book “Teach Smarter: Literacy Strategies for Early Childhood Teachers” here:

💠 Learn more about my membership program “Teaching Trailblazers” here:

==========================

Follow Our Social Media Channels:

==========================

Elevating Early Childhood is an early education podcast dedicated to helping Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten teachers teach better, save time, and live more.

If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Onward & Upward! 🙌

==========================

Disclaimer:

Pre-K Pages is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. The word “affiliate” means that we may earn a small commission if/when you click on or make purchases via these links at no additional cost to you.

As a policy, the Company will only affiliate with products, services, consultants or experts that we believe will provide value to our customers and followers.

You recognize that it remains your personal responsibility to investigate whether any affiliate offers are right for you and will benefit you. You will not rely on any recommendation, reference, or information provided by the Company but will instead conduct your own investigation and will rely upon your investigation to decide whether to purchase the affiliate product or service.

#vanessalevin #prekpages #circletime

[dawnthompson]

Can you do a tour of your classroom one day... please!!!!

[heartofworshipfamily]

Great tips for circle time! Absolutely, some children who are second language learners really need time to adjust in the classroom.

[jengiolando]

2:01 ingredient 1, ingredient #2: 3:20 and ingredient #3: 5:33, what to do when students don’t listen 7:20 how to fit it all in: 8:36 what to do when children do not participate: 12:46
Component 1: 16:33, Component 2: 17:20, component 3: 19:11 component 4: 20:26 and 5: 20:39

[amyc]

Thank you so much for sharing this!!! I’m a new assistant teacher and there’s some things about our circle time that don’t seem to work very well. I would LOVE to get rid of calendar time!

[leeanntreacy]

This content is just what I need as a new teacher. Thank u so much ❤

[ainhoabcebrero]

Thank you for your wonderfully insightful guidance to honor children where they are and to keep them engaged

[jmc]

OMG, I do trainings for educators and sometimes I second guess my self. You are right on point! These are the same things I teach and tell educators. I’m going to start sharing this channel.

[Sunshine-gvnd]

Thanks Vanessa. Nice tips. Key tip for me is balancing passive and active attention grabbers to keep them engaged. Nice work. Very helpful. 😊

[olubunmiadewakun]

Beautiful Tips. I will surely look for how to make it relatable here in our part of the world.

[smashandcreate]

I can not thank you enough. This video is exactly what I needed to recalibrate and go back to the drawing board for my kids. Thank you, thank you!

[phsyomr]

Great advice. Most are visual and tactile

[marcelasvirbelovakuziakova]

Absolutely love it, thank you, I work as assistance teacher in preschool, and they circle time, take to long, definitely going to share your advice 🙂, thank you 👌💯❤️

[positiveandhealthy]

This was so powerful and so true. Thank you!

[lilianadiaz]

i'm going back to teaching prek. I am so thankful I found this :) my circle times lasted 30 minutes! no wonder!

[amyfrancis]

Hi Vanessa. Thank you for your wonderful videos and tips. I would so appreciate any advice you can give me. It's been two days of school. On Monday (coming up), I will start the first theme (Welcome to Pre-K!). Students arrive between 8:30-9:00. Breakfast is 9:00-9:30. From 9:30-10:30, it's gross motor. My options are to do a half-hour walk, classroom movement and/or a half hour in the playroom. By the time we are through with bathroom & water for the second time, it's morning meeting between 10:35-10:50. The first round of centers is 10:50-11:55. Clean up, lunch & bathroom next. Rest time or napping is from 12:25-1:15. Unless I skip the gross motor hour and/or the allotted center time, I only have 15 minutes (probably 10) to teach procedures and routines. How do I teach basic procedures (lining up, walking in the hall, bathroom, washing hands) model & practice AND teach the procedures of a center? How do you keep their attention to teach these procedures & routines long enough to practice them? Thank you so much for your advice!

[gabriellewalker]

Thank you I'm a preschool teacher and circle time is the worst so thank you I will use your three ingredients for my class

[KathyHutto]

Great advice! I love the blueberry pie analogy! I definitely agree with the active/passive approach.

[brainbuilderspreschool]

My kids LOOVEEEE CIRCLE TIME !!!! we spend 15mins having fun

[deliaclaudio]

Great info on your site smarter then harder was great idea.

[simonegodwin]

We talk about the weather at circle time because we are in the UK and we have such changeable weather. We need to sow the seeds that they may have to wear jackets or extra layers or boots when the child may not want to. It really helps. We will need our boots because we will be playing in puddles etc. Then they do it without fuss.