Ever wondered why the term Circle Time starts with a circle? That’s because circle means an arrangement where the points are all constructed around a common centre and at an equal distance. It also symbolises a connection amongst all the points intact with each other and the centre. Circle time in preschool may mean the centre to be symbolically the Facilitator making learners do an activity, a prayer, story narration, text talk and taking sharing of the students etc.

Circle Time is a group time dedicated fore mostly in morning and afternoon before children leave for the day. Here, the children sit in a group and it is a technique to head start the day together and get prepared for the rest of it. It involves prayers, sometimes deep breathing, and attendance as well, along with other things mentioned above. It is a great time to get along with peers, enable interaction and socialise with them. Circle time is also an opportunity to appear before others and be acknowledged.

Long back, this circle time was not a much of a thing done in Preschools or primary schools and has been a very fresh and positive approach from the time it has begun to be used. Teachers plan well for the circle time where the centre is not the curriculum, neither the activities but the enthusiastic batch of kids.

Circle time in preschools is an evidently harmonious time to bring every child together, enable them to have a mindfulness session and prepare for the day. Circle Time is a teaching and learning strategy that offers all Early Years practitioners to make purposeful and wholesome learning time.

Why is it important?

Who likes to go to school and sit in the bench directly? No one right and keeping in mind the young ones who don’t really know the school set up, they need a caring and enabling environment where they first adjust themselves with others and be comfortable in the space. Learners in the preschool come from diverse background and home environment. Each of them have diverse experiences and so, to make them reach on same page, towards a same goal, circle time helps them efficiently. It gives them the time and space required to become more organised. They become better at retention, learning new things and their sense of self develops more when from the beginning itself, in preschool, they try to handle themselves and socialise better with friends and create time and space in head and physically for themselves and others. Circle time helps in Social, emotional and Language development of the children involved as it gives time to develop and further nurture the skills of interactions, speaking, listening, Sharing feelings, Communication and collaboration.

What role does it play in the life of a pre-schooler?

The very first thing about circle time is that kids learn to sit, talk and present themselves in a larger circle of their peers. They get opportunity to be themselves and express in front of an audience. Also, it helps to initiate friendships, get to know each other more and form close bonds. Further when they do an activity or story/text talk in a larger circle, it gives them chance to present their viewpoints. Circle time gives them the opportunity to become mindful of the space and time and enjoy it the most. It helps develop positive relationships between kids through engaging and fun activities. It is also used to address certain issues identified in the class such as too much noise and talking during class and teachers are also better able to express their expectations and classroom rules to all the kids in an engaging manner.