Circle Time Activities for Preschoolers
Daily Lessons for PreK that Focus on Reading, Spanish and Math
Dec 7, 2008
Circle Time is a pivotal role in most preschool classrooms today. This time can vary in theme and structure, but it follows some basic guidelines. Below is just one way to have circle time. Further enhance this daily activity with your own personal touches and subjects you feel necessary to focus on with your children.
Preschool Song Transition Time
Preparing your preschoolers for a new activity is easy when you use a well-known transition song that they get used to hearing. Whether you choose to make up the song and sing it yourself, encouraging them to sing along, or if you use a CD, utilize this idea to get your children settled in a timely and organized fashion.
Preschool Reading Time with Felt Board
Have a book ready to read that matches the theme you are teaching your children. A great way to make reading time more fun and entertaining is having felt pieces that go along with the story. You can easily make copies of the characters in the book, cut, laminate and attach Velcro for a quick way to provide this opportunity. This also provides a creative center for the kids after circle time to recreate their own story with the felt pieces.
Preschool Calendar Time
Establishing a good understanding of the calendar and sequencing is important for preschoolers. There are several ways to accomplish this, and below are a few ideas.
Preschool Days of the Week
The popular “Days of the Week” song is a great segue into Calendar Time. Be sure to provide visual words for each day that are bigger and separate from the days on the calendar. Make them yourself with poster board and marker or buy some at a local teacher store. Dry Erase boards or easels are also great to reinforce the days. Write the current day in big block letters. After the song, talk about the letters in the current day and go over their sounds, focusing on Phonics.
Preschool Days of the Month
Add math to your circle time by counting each day of the month that has passed so far. Be sure to point to each numbered day on the calendar to mix visual and audio learning. If you’re working with your preschoolers on a second language, like Spanish, count a second time in that language.
Preschool Months of the Year
Ask your preschoolers what month it is to see if they remember. If they struggle, give them a hint by pointing to the first letter in the word. If they need further help, ask them what sound the letter makes. Sing the “Months of the Year” song, pointing to each month on the poster board for visualization.
Special Days of the Month
Making your calendar fun and colorful is important to embrace a preschoolers enthusiasm about circle time. For birthdays, use cupcake clipart or candle clipart, and the same with any holidays that occur that month. Use counting skills by asking your preschoolers to count the days until a special day.
Continue your circle time by doing these Weather Time Circle Time Activities which also has a link to an article with some great circle time songs!
Circle Time isn’t just another “learning event” for your preschoolers. It’s a time of reflecting the day and what is to come. Most children thrive on routine, and following a specific pattern every day at Circle Time, ending it with a song and explanation of what is to come the rest of the day, will be sure to give your children a sense of security and happiness.
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