CIRCLE TIME ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Preschoolers are still learning about the world around them, and circle time is a great opportunity for teachers to engage them with fun activities. These circle time activities for preschoolers can help them learn new concepts and develop important skills. Using different games and activities can keep your class engaged and excited to participate.

WHAT IS CIRCLE TIME FOR PRESCHOOLERS?

Circle time is when the preschool students sit on the floor or in flexible seating and participate in a group activity that is usually led by a teacher. It is time to connect with their classmates.

Circle time activities are a great opportunity for teachers to introduce new concepts to their students. It is also a time for review, transition, and social interaction. Circle time activities for preschoolers should be developmentally appropriate and engaging for all students.

WHY ARE CIRCLE TIME ACTIVITIES IMPORTANT FOR PRESCHOOLERS?

There are many reasons that circle time activities are important for preschoolers. It helps them learn new concepts, review familiar ones, and develop important social and emotional skills. They can also help students build oral language skills and a love of reading.

Preschool teachers can also use circle time to review the day’s lessons. Once it becomes part of the routine, children have some built-in structure to their day, which is important for their growth and development. Many preschool settings start each morning with circle time as part of their daily routine.

WHEN SHOULD CIRCLE TIME ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS TAKE PLACE?

Circle time typically takes place at the beginning of the school day. This allows students to transition into the school day and review any concepts that were taught the previous day. If you want to mix it up though, vary the time of day. Circle time can also be used as a transition between activities. You can also have a closing circle time where teachers do a quick review about the day and friends say goodbye until the next time.

HOW TO MAKE CIRCLE TIME ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS FUN

Preschool circle time activities should be a fun and engaging experience for all students. Here are some tips to make sure you are having an effective circle time.

• Keep it short: Circle time should be between 10-15 minutes long maximum. This allows enough time for students with short attention spans to participate in a variety of activities without becoming overwhelmed or bored.
• Make it interactive: During circle time students can interact with each other and with the teacher. Use songs, games, and books that require student participation.
• Keep it engaging: Choose activities that are developmentally appropriate and engaging for all students.
• Consider the interests of students: If you have a class of animal lovers, try incorporating songs and books about animals into your circle time activities.
• Make it a routine: Circle time should be a regular part of your daily routine. This will help students know what to expect and be prepared for the activities.

CIRCLE TIME SONGS FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Circle time is great for teaching new songs or reviewing familiar ones. Songs can be used to help students learn new concepts, such as the alphabet or numbers. They can also be used to promote movement and gross motor skills. Here are some circle time songs for preschoolers and suggested actions you can do with the songs:

• The Wheels on the Bus – roll your arms for “round and round”, hands back and forth for “wipers on the bus go swish, swish, swish,”, etc.
• Head Shoulders Knees and Toes – tap your head shoulders knees and toes as you sing. Great for body awareness!
• Old McDonald Had a Farm – move like the animals you add to your farm ie waddle like a duck, crawl like a cow, etc.
• The Itsy Bitsy Spider – great for finger isolation and fine motor warm ups. Use your fingers to demonstrate “climbed up the water spout” then wave fingers for “down came the rain”, etc.
• Row, Row, Row Your Boat – sit on your bottom and lean back to row your boat (great for core muscle strengthening) or try working with a partner
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – stand up tall and spread your arms and feet. Twinkle your hands and lean left and right throughout the song to be a shiny star.

You can read more about music and movement activities for preschoolers here.

NURSERY RHYMES FOR CIRCLE TIME

Children remember and relate to words when they rhyme or are easy to chant. Plus, they are so much fun to yell out, loud and clear! Here are some classic nursery rhymes that are easy to teach to kids and include finger movements to encourage fine motor skill development:

This Little Piggie Went to Market

This little piggy went to market. THUMB UP
This little piggy stayed home. POINTER FINGER UP
This little piggy had roast beef. MIDDLE FINGER UP
This little piggy had none. RING FINGER UP
And this little piggy went “wee, wee, wee all the way home.” PINKY FINGER UP AND WIGGLE IT THEN CLOSE UP HAND TO END THE POEM

Here is the Beehive

Here is the beehive, HAND IN A FIST
Where are the bees?
Hidden away where nobody sees.
Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive. One…two…three…four…five! OPEN UP FINGERS ONE AT A TIME
Buzz…buzz…buzz…buzz…buzz. WIGGLE ALL THE FINGERS

I See the Wind

I see the wind when the leaves dance by, WIGGLE HANDS
I see the wind when the Clothes wave “Hi!” WAVE HANDS
I see the wind when the trees bend low, SQUAT DOWN
I see the wind when the flags all blow. STAND UP TALL
I see the wind when the kites Fly high, ARMS OVERHEAD
I see the wind when the clouds float by. ARMS OVERHEAD MOVING SIDE TO SIDE
I see the wind when it blows my hair, TOUCH HAIR
I see the wind ‘most everywhere! PALMS UP HANDS OUT

CIRCLE TIME GAMES FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Games provide an excellent opportunity for students to interact with each other. Games can be used to teach new concepts, review familiar ones, and promote social and emotional skills. Here are some circle time group games for preschoolers:

Hot Potato: Children pass around an object while the music plays, and when the music stops, the child holding the object is out. This game can be used to review a variety of concepts, such as numbers or shapes.

Parachute games: Children work together to hold onto the parachute while it is open. They can shake it, wave it, or toss balls onto it. This movement game also promotes cooperation and gross motor skills.

Catch: Have children sit or stand in the circle and toss a ball to each other. Beach balls are great for this!

Telephone: One child starts a message and whispers it in the next person’s ear. The message has to make it all the way around the circle. This teaches kids new vocabulary, and they get to work on their social skills.

Flashcard Fun: Put flashcards for anything in a box or bag. It could be letters, numbers, exercises, yoga poses, animal cards, etc. Pass the bag around the circle. Each child picks out a card and shows it to the class. The child can identify what it is or act it out and the class repeats. This makes the children feel like they are the teacher.

Question Time: Get to know each other with open ended questions to encourage your students to think creatively. Try Would You Rather questions or simple conversation starters such as “Share one thing you did over the weekend” or “Tell us your favorite animal and why”.

CIRCLE TIME MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Getting students up and moving is another fantastic circle time idea. Movement activities can help students learn new concepts, review familiar ones, and promote gross motor skills. Here are some Circle Time movement activities for preschoolers:

Simon Says: The teacher gives commands that the children must follow. If they do not do what Simon (the teacher) says, they are out. This game can be used to review a variety of concepts, such as numbers or shapes. Read 100 Simon Says Game ideas here.

Hokey Pokey: Children stand in a circle and follow the leader as they do the hokey pokey. This game promotes gross motor skills and is great for review.

Musical Chairs: With music playing, children walk around a circle of chairs where they are one chair short. When the music stops, they all try to sit in a chair. The child who doesn’t have a chair is out. This game gets kids up and moving and works on gross motor skills. You can play this game with pillows on the floor if you prefer.

Follow the Leader: Perform an action and the children have to follow you. Let the children take turns being the leader.

Day at the Zoo: Pretend your students are animals at the zoo. The teacher is someone visiting the zoo. Hold up a picture of an animal and the students have to act like that animal. The teacher can add comments such as “you are such big bears” or the “penguins look cold today”. Next time you go to a zoo, grab such extra maps. You could pass them around and the children could point to an animal on the map and act like that animal.

CIRCLE TIME BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Circle time is a great opportunity for students to develop a love of reading and books. Choose books that are developmentally appropriate and engaging for all students. Here are some Circle Time books for preschoolers that also encourage movement:

• From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
• We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
• Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boyton
• Move! by Robin Page
• Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas

These circle time activities for preschoolers are sure to keep your students engaged and excited about learning. By using a variety of activities, you can provide a well-rounded experience for all students. Circle time is an important part of the preschool day, so make it count!

MORE RESOURCES FOR PRESCHOOLERS

Large Group Activities for Preschoolers

Movement Games for Preschoolers