How to Start Toddler and Preschool Circle Time (Back-to-School)

I needed this thx for teaching me

you are so beautiful <3 and you seem like a comforting nice person so its perfect for the children :D i also want to be a preschool teacher when im older

I am the lead infant teacher but lately we have had a lot of young one year olds in my room. I’m supposed to train them to eat at the table (it is about 8 inches off the ground and has little chairs for kids) and the kids want to climb on the table. I have no idea how to convince them to sit in a circle for circle time. Any tips are appreciated.

I am the lead infant teacher but lately we have had a lot of young one year olds in my room. I’m supposed to train them to eat at the table (it is about 8 inches off the ground and has little chairs for kids) and the kids want to climb on the table. I have no idea how to convince them to sit in a circle for circle time. Any tips are appreciated.

When I was in press k I sat in a cube chair. They are lower and easier for young children to sit in

Thank you !!

Thank you so much. You have shared such important tips not only for new teachers but for all teachers. I've been in the early childhood field for over 30. years and still look for ways to improve. At my school, we are mixed ages and we just lowered the age group from 3-5yrs to 2yrs-6, plus we are starting a CircleTime for even younger children. Oh boy! Do I ever needed these tips. Thanks again!

Thanks for sharing these ideas ❤

Whats a circle time and how can i give a demo on circle time? 😭

Similar to the mats we use pillows and get the kids excited who don’t do as well with the transition by saying let’s get to circle time so you can choose the color you like!

I love it❤❤❤

Great idea. I have already try it and its work like a magic. I like to ask for how long we can start our circle time at this way, and what is next 😊?
Thank you ❤

thank you very much for sharing
tips regarding circle time, it helps me a lot and I'm applying to my 2 to 3 years toddlers class.. I'm watching from Panggangan, Lanao, Pilar, Cebu
# 6048...

This is so helpful! Curious if you ever do things like days of the week, calendar and discussion of the weather in your circle times?

This is so helpful! Curious if you ever do things like days of the week, calendar and discussion of the weather in your circle times?

I'm a retired Home Health Aide, I work with older people, our job is no different we just work with different age groups and disabilities. Older people do circle time but different with them. I have seen pre School, elementary, JHS and HS TEACHERS and medical people that didn't know how to help their parents. My son is autistic and I had to educate myself to help my son. He 29 years old but thanks for the info to relieve some of the stress I've been through 😊

We use a carpet that has letters.❤

Thank you so much!

This is so blithe. Thank you, you make it easier for new teachers.

Why the book?

Thank you so much for all your videos! I’m a first year teacher and I’m teaching 2/3yo kids. Your video are helping me and my kids. Thank you again.

This was so good ❤️ thank you so much ❤️

Hi Sheryl,
I am a toddler teacher in a Montessori classroom. We don't have sitting mats, I am trying to for the center to get some but it seems that they won't get any mats. What are other alternatives to help them sit? I have up to 24 toddlers ages from 18 months to 3 yrs. old. This is my first year with a toddler class, I use to teach in a preschool classroom.

Our kids used our carpet squares as frisbees lol when we were learning how to manage our room lmao

.I really love ur strategies and I learn a lot..thank u

Honestly, circle time is waaayy overated. Everything does not need to be whole group. Especially first thing in the morning😖. Who wants to be in a meeting as soon as they get to work EVERYDAY??

Thank you so much for sharing ideas

Big thanks for you ... great amazing teacher

This is a great video, I’m glad to have stumbled upon your channel!

I’m in a class with 2-5 yo and have been using your methods here to introduce a group time after lunch. I teach in New Zealand, so the teaching conditions are a bit different to what I have been researching to the US. I have scaled back what I bring out as you’ve suggested and have a small box of their favourite finger puppets and magnetic stories. The welcome song is for everyone’s name and we go through our guidelines for the room, with the main emphasis being on our inside voices as we have some children sleeping in the room next to us. It works really well, especially as the children have the option of sitting at it and know if they don’t want too, they need to remember to play quietly.

Do you have any recommendations of music, as I’m going to plan a music and movement group time that is more spontaneous with scarves, bean bags and sticks.

I love getting placemats for my kids to sit on or dollar tree has little carpets.

I really enjoyed your teaching method of teaching sample. How do I teach a child with a an Autism behavior?

I also go over a visual schedule so they know the day's events for the day

Hi I was wondering if you had another video on what your second circle time might look like?
Love your videos!

Thank you so much for these tips, they are invaluable for new teachers!

Please how I start in classroom

I teach Early Head Start, so I have children aged 0-3 in my room. I'm going to try the mats and book basket at the beginning of this year. I know the children younger than two years won't be able to sit more then three seconds, should I have them go get a book from the library or just go play with the toys? I have a classroom of 8 children and a co teacher. Just an insight on my room make-up of ages.

Love your circle time ideas! I teach preschoolers who have special learning needs such as Autism. I use cube chairs at circle time to help them sit safely.

Do you have a copy of the songs you sang in this video?

Thank you so much for you video and knowledge. Please, can you tell me how to deal with children that argue when they are after the same book during the circle time????, and please, can you tell me what do i do while the kids are sitting on the carpet and one child stands up andd plays around the classroom instead of sitting down like everybody else?Thank you 💖🙏🙏

Yes

Question- do you change up the board books in the basket for the children every couple of weeks or how do you choose those books?

Hi Sheryl-
As a new teacher to this age group I have been watching your videos and have been gleaning from your wisdom.
I will be incorporating your simple start! Thank you so much for this video as it was just what I was looking for !
-Emily

Great ideas! Can you share where you got the colored floor mats?

Thank you for sharing and really insightful!!🙌🙌🙏

This was so good! Thankyou!

Thank you for sharing this video! Will you please share from where you purchased the stools?

Do you have a video about how to deal with a child with difficult behavior while keeping the rest of the classroom from being out of control?

Hi Sheryl !,
Have you ever received a hug from anyone of those little ones you taught?
Because I'd like to hug you right now.
- Dwight

Agree simple is best!