Circle time:
Meeting Children’s needs?
TRADITIONAL CIRCLE TIMEA group activity where children gather in a circle
for interactive learning and sharing experiences.

GROUP TIME
It is to create an intimate learning
environment to broaden and deepen
children’s knowledge and understanding of
concepts across developmental domains.

Typical Traditional circle
time includesGreeting
Calendar and Weather
Show-and-Tell
Storytime
Songs and Rhymes

What is wrong with calendar times?
The ability to judge the relative time from a past event or until a future
event in terms of the calendar year is not in place until sometime
between 7 and 10 years of age.

Time to move beyond traditional circle timeLack of Individualised Attention
Attention span requirement
Passive Participation
Limited Social Interaction
Inflexibility and Lack of Choice
Cultural and Individual Differences

KEY POINTS
Time consideration
Balance active and passive activities
Predictable yet flexible
Use visual aids
Respond to children’s interests

Will children feel
something missing
if circle times are
completely
removed?

People’s view on eliminating circle time“They could do a morning
meeting with a gathering
activity and feelings check
in. But the
calendar/weather/letter of
the day/etc benefits
nobody.”

“15 min tops and should
be fun. Ditch the
meaningless
inappropriate things
(letter, shape, calendar
songs).”

“what!!! Who needs
structure more than
ever is this generation!”

“I’ve been over sit and listen/cross
cross applesauce/ eyes on me circle
times For a decade. But I love a post
breakfast gathering/ morning
meeting. It’s a fabulous oppty for a
feelings check-in, SEL activity, or an
interactive song or story and to
discuss play options for the day. Staff
“I would strongly advise
can facilitate, children lead.”
against eliminating
circle time. The skills
children learn during
circle time extend
beyond childhood.”

“Not all should be lost from the traditional large group model, but it must have
meaning, be purposeful, and developmentally appropriate”

BY- SIMRANJIT KAUR