What do you do in Circle Time?

There are three circle times at Building Blocks. At Opening Circle we sing the same introduction song every day. Children love consistency and this helps them to adapt to our program. During this time they sit on a mat and learn their peers’ names and teachers’ names. We then introduce them to the various activities in the room, and show them the “art activity” they will be doing that day. We ask them to think about where they would like to play and count 1, 2, and 3, go play. Children attending Building Blocks are taught how to learn and pay attention. In the midpoint in their day, children go to small circle time. Each circle group consists of 8 children of similar age groupings. The children usually stay in the same grouping for the year. The dynamics of each group determines what will be taught. For example, a group of 2 year-olds will have much more active songs, shorter stories and concrete (hands on) activities. All groups will learn colours and counting, have a calendar time, and experience turn taking. This is taught in a fun way. Circle times are mandatory and as the year progresses they last longer and longer. It is a time enjoyed by all. At the end of the program we have our third circle time, the closing circle. This is the time for games and action songs. We end with quiet songs and a goodbye song and then the children wait as their names are called for dismissal.