Ideas for Circle Time with 2 year olds?

Ideas for Circle Time with 2 year olds?

by: missus - 01-10-11 08:42

I've just started working with 2 year olds, and am struggling a bit with ideas for Circle Time beyond a story or some songs.  We tend to do it twice a day - once after everyone has arrived as a bit of a welcome, and once before lunch as a bit of a transition time between free play and sitting down to eat.

Basically 12 2 year olds, 5-10 minutes, maybe a quarter have some challenging behaviours so it does need to be engaging and accomodate some children being unable to sit still/quietly.

Any ideas gratefully received!

by: Tunja

I would not expect two year olds to sit quietly. Have you questioned whether this form of circle time is developmentally appropriate? Why not include circles that move. Stand up and circle to the right, then left. They could clap a rhyme. Children of this age need to be learning to communicate, practicing physical development and developing socially and emotionally not sitting still.

by: missus

Thanks, I did mention that it needs to accomodate children not being able to sit still/quietly!

by: stormgirl

Expecting 2 year olds to sit still & quiet for 10 minutes while staying focused on the same thing, twice a day is not developmentally appropriate. Especially if you are requiring all children to participate even if they would really rather not. Perhaps you would notice a change in the amount of challengng behaviour if you looked at the timing of these sessions, length & choice of activities. 

Some activities that might be suitable for 5 minute sessions:

* stretchy lycra

* parachute games

* songs/short stories with visual props (Dear Zoo, 5 little monkeys)

* Dance & freeze games (put the favourite song on the cd player, encourage crazy dancing, then pause/freeze. Continue...)

Encouraging language, physical movement & the beginnings of social interaction, concentration & listening. 

by: purepurple

For the first one I would encourage all the children and adults (there should be 2 other adults with you for 12 children) to stand in a circle, holding hands and walk slowly round in a cirlce and sing this song-

'Hello Billy, how are you?

Hello Billy, who's standing next to you?'

Then continue round the circle till you have welcomed everyone and then let them go and play.

This can be done sitting down as well and is a great way of introducing everybody's names as well as taking turns and encouraging children to speak in a group.

For the second circle time I would use a CD with a story with lots of singing, something like Rumble in the Jungle which they can join in with. Make it fun, make it short and gat the other adults to help you.

by: missus

Thanks for the suggestions!

Not sure where you got that I was expecting them to sit quiet and focussed for 10 minutes stormgirl.  Some of our children have challenging behaviours because of our intake, not due to circle time, but that is why activities need to be engaging and be able to accomodate some children being unable to sit still/quietly.

by: sassykay

Another good idea is to have an interest box each time put something different inside, make a rhyme about it getting the children to think what is inside, you could link it with topics or even have a puppet to keep it going. We also instead of a morning circle time we have register and then have warm up aerobics session to get us jolly and full of energy to start the day.

Hope this helps :)

by: liza

I have used the song sack, where I have put items such as a black sheep, spider, mouse with clock, fish, humpty dumpty puppet etc. I ask a child to pick an item from the bag and ask them if they can think of a song that will go with it

by: liza

If children become restless, I find asking them to point to requested parts of their body helps i.e. can you point to your nose etc. They love when I ask "can you pont to your bottom"!!!

by: Jam

I also work with 2yr olds. I use puppets quite alot to encourage the children to sit down. Interactive songs, short but fun books and lots of praise, particularly for those who have more challenging behaviour. At least one assistant sits on the mat with the children. But don't expect miracles they are only 2! 

by: Lil Miss Purple

I've made a folder of songs, each song on a different page with a drawn colourful picture. I ask my two year olds "what song shall we sing thats in my book?" They choose a song, eg "Peter Hammers". As I turn the pages I ask, "Is this the hammer?" I also ask them "What can you see on this picture?" I ask about colours etc. Once we get to the relevent page the children tell me. You can even get them to help make the pictures for the folder. I find that when I take circle time they request the folder! I keep it lively, I have been known to get quite loud, I put on voices, do the actions etc. We do have one child that has zero interest in sitting down what so ever. When other members of staff do circle I generally shadow this child rather than enforce sitting, it's a losing battle. I think as long as all team members support each other, and as long as you keep it fun, two year olds can enjoy a circle time activity :)