Circle time | Visual Schedule | Preschool Songs | Wonky Donkey-Read Aloud

Circle Time is a popular tradition used in many preschool and kinder classrooms. In this video, Mrs. Hays models how to follow a classroom visual schedule while following a circle time activity schedule. Circle time with preschoolers can offer lots of benefits for early childhood development such as social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth.
1. Social Development: Circle time gives young kids a chance to interact with their friends in a structured setting. They learn important social skills such as taking turns, active listening, and cooperation.
2. Language Development: Through songs, stories, and discussions, circle time helps language development. Children can grow their vocabulary, practice their communication skills, and learn to express themselves.
3. Cognitive Development: Circle time often includes activities that stimulate cognitive development, such as counting, sorting, and problem-solving. It’s a fun way to introduce basic academic concepts in a fun and meaningful way.
4. Emotional Development: Early learners learn to recognize and express their feelings during circle time. It's a safe space to discuss emotions and practice empathy towards others.
5. Routine and Structure: Circle time sets up a daily routine, which can help young ones feel secure and understand what to expect each day. Predictable routines can ease anxiety and create a feeling of safety.
6. Listening Skills:Listening is a crucial skill for learning, and circle time encourages children to focus on the speaker, follow instructions, and retain information.
Are you stuck trying to find circle time activities? Try the following!
1. Greetings and Names: Begin with a welcoming song or activity where children greet each other by name. This helps build a sense of community. • Hello! | Greeting Son...
2. Songs and Rhymes: Singing familiar songs and nursery rhymes is a fun way to enhance language development, rhythm, and coordination. [ • The Monkeys and the Al... !]( • The Monkeys and the Al... )
3. Storytime: Reading a story aloud encourages listening skills, imagination, and vocabulary expansion. You can ask questions related to the story to promote discussion. • Wonky donkey
4. Calendar and Weather: Incorporate a daily calendar and weather discussion to teach concepts of time, days of the week, and weather conditions.
5. Movement and Action Songs: Include movement activities like "Simon Says" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" to keep children engaged and active. [ • The Monkeys and the Al... !]( • The Monkeys and the Al... )
6. Show and Tell: Allow children to bring an item from home to share with the group. This encourages public speaking and builds confidence. [ • Plants in my yard !]( • Plants in my yard )
7. Feelings Check-in: Ask children how they are feeling that day and discuss emotions. This promotes emotional intelligence and empathy. • Dinosaur Yoga
8. Music and Instruments: Explore different musical instruments and rhythms. Children can take turns playing or dancing to the music. • Guess the instrument!
Have fun learning and playing!