Circle time for toddlers? You bet! Short & sweet Circle Time for Toddlers is best to keep toddlers moving and engaged while learning together. Multiple short and highly interactive large group times are more effective than one long Circle Time with toddlers. We recommend you plan four short group times each day. Each group time follows a consistent routine so the children know what to expect. Short and sweet Circle Time for Toddlers keeps them moving and playing— just what toddlers should be doing!
When designing your group times, plan for no more than 10-12 minutes. During the 10 minutes, have 2-3 minute segments that alternative between moving – sitting – moving – sitting activities.
The more you can sing, and the more children can have something to touch or a way to move their bodies, the more successful and fun your group times will be.
Example Circle Time Routine for Toddlers
Keep Circle Time short and sweet for toddlers with this routine:
- Transition to Circle Time with a Song. Try It’s Time to Start Our Day from the Toddler Group Routines Cards.
- Sing the Hello Song.
- Introduce a purple card Literacy/Social Emotional Activity from the Experience Toddler curriculum.
- Sing and dance to a Letter Song from Toddler Beats.
Transition toddlers to group time again throughout the day so they can participate in art, math, music, and movement activities.
📚READ Facilitating Group Times with Toddlers
Where do you find your Circle Time Display materials?
Use materials from your Getting Started Kit and monthly Circle Time bag to set up your Circle Time display. The Getting Started kit includes some basics you will use all year long. The Circle Time Bag will include the Circle Time display materials specific to the monthly theme. Each month, collect new pieces for your Circle Time Display.
The Getting Started kit includes the basics for setting up your Circle Time displays, including:
- A Weather Station
- Title Cards
The Welcome Bag will include the Circle Time display materials specific to the monthly theme, including:
- Alphabet & Number Cards
- Weekly Calendar
- Theme Title Card
- Fingerplay Rhyme Poster
- Shape & Color Poster
- Forest Friends Poster
Using a Tri-Fold Board for Your Display
A 48″ x 36″ trifold is commonly used. You can purchase a colored board, paint it, or cover it with adhesive paper or bulletin board paper for a decorative touch. Why do educators choose to use a tri-fold board for circle time? Tri-fold boards are portable, making it convenient to take learning outdoors or to a different part of your room. It also eliminates taping or pinning resources to the wall, which can be damaging.
Alternatives for Displaying Circle Time Materials
If a tri-fold board isn’t the best fit for your space or needs, alternatives for displaying your Circle Time materials can be just as effective. One simple option is to attach the display pieces directly to the wall using masking tape or adhesive hook-and-loop fasteners. This method allows for flexibility in arranging and rearranging the materials, making it easy to adapt the display as needed.
You can also utilize a corner of the room to create a dedicated Circle Time area or take advantage of existing features like bulletin boards, which provide a ready-made surface for organizing your materials. Dry-erase or magnetic boards are another versatile choice, offering the added benefit of being able to write notes or add magnetic pieces alongside your display. These alternatives can help you create a dynamic and interactive space for Circle Time tailored to the layout and needs of your classroom.
Additional Support and Training for Circle Time
Circle Time Blog Posts for Early Childhood Educators
- What is Circle Time?
- Supporting Discussions at Circle Time
- Add Music to Circle Time
- Large Group Activities: Circle Time
- Building Community with Circle Time
- How to Adjust when Circle Time Has Gone Awry
- 65 Ideas for Calendar & Weather at Circle Time
- How to Use the Circle Time Calendar
- Short & Sweet Circle Time for Toddlers
