Making Circle Time the Highlight of Our Day: Insights from My Daycare

Every classroom has its rituals, and in my teaching space, circle time is the heartbeat of our daily routine. It’s a lot more than just gathering young minds to sit in a circle; it’s about creating a space of learning, sharing, and fun! Here’s how I make circle time a foundational and delightful part of our day, ensuring each child feels included, engaged, and excited to participate. 

The Timing and Structure

 We kick off our circle time at 10 AM every morning. I find this time works best as it follows a bit of free play, allowing the toddlers to burn off some initial energy before they settle down for a more structured interaction. This timing also helps in setting a comforting routine, letting the children know what to expect and when to expect it, which is particularly important in nurturing a sense of security among young learners. 

 Circle time in our classroom is a dynamic blend of activities designed to cater to various aspects of early childhood development. Here’s what a typical circle time looks like at Promise Land Childcare:

1. Welcome Song: We start with a welcome song, which involves singing a personalized greeting to each child. This not only makes each child feel special but also helps in reinforcing name recognition among peers.  I created a personalized song for our daycare Titled “Welcome to Promise Land” sung to the tune Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  You can download the lyrics here and edit them for your own center

• Christian Learning: We read scripture and say a short prayer.  We always makes sure the scripture is toddler-friendly and simple to understand and memorize.  We then close with our prayer, encouraging children to say “Amen” together.

• Movement and Music: No circle time is complete without some movement! We incorporate songs and nursery rhymes accompanied by actions. This not only energizes the children but also helps in developing their motor skills and rhythm sense. 

•  Daily Review: We review the days of the week, and the weather, and talk briefly about any special activities planned for the day. This segment helps in building concepts of time and anticipation for future events. 

• Memory Verse Game: This activity is one of the kiddos’ favorites! We use the fun song “Freeze Dance”.  We play and have the kids dance, when the music stops, the toddler has to say the memory verse.  This helps the scripture memory in a playful and engaging manner.

• STEM Educational Activities: Depending on the day, we engage in educational activities that might include number games, alphabet recognition, or simple science experiments. I use a variety of props like flashcards, counting bears, and color mats. These activities are not just about learning but are also about developing fine motor skills and cognitive thinking. 

• Storytime: This is where imagination takes flight. I read a story from a well-loved children’s book, choosing themes that align with their interests or current learning topics. Interactive storytelling methods, such as puppetry or animated voice modulations, are employed to make the stories come alive. 

• Reflection and Sharing Time: Towards the end, we have a reflection period where children can share their own stories or what they’ve learned. This fosters a sense of community and builds their confidence in expressing themselves.

Circle time should never feel like a chore, and keeping it fun is my top priority.

Here are some of the ways I keep the fun alive:

• Interactive Tools: Using interactive tools like finger puppets, interactive boards, and sensory bins makes the learning process tactile and visually stimulating. 
• Special Guests: Occasionally, we invite special guests like a local firefighter or a librarian to talk about their roles, making the learning contextual and real-world-oriented.  With this being a home center we do majority of this the virtual way!
• Rewards and Praises: Positive reinforcement goes a long way. I use plenty of praise and sometimes small rewards for participation to keep the morale high and the environment positive.  Circle time is not just about keeping the children occupied; it’s about nurturing them in a warm, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment.

Each session is an opportunity to enrich their minds, share a laugh, and create the building blocks of lifelong learning. It’s a joy to watch each child grow through what circle time offers, and the bonds they form during these sessions are just as valuable as the lessons learned.