When Circle Time Doesn't Go as Planned

In this video, I share a recent experience where my students were NOT into circle time, and what I did to turn things around.
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[@michelem6600]

Sage advice. I think the pressure to continue with plans that are failing is often owing to fear of supervision and/or peer criticism. Yet, keeping one's eye on the real goals is wisdom. You can't please all of the people all of the time, but you can do the right thing.

[@rosydiaz9901]

Thank you so much for posting these tips. I'm teaching a group of three year-olds who sometimes are not interested in the book I'm reading so I immediately stop reading the story and I start singing a song that I know they know and love: icky, sticky bubble gum. The children love it, and it's a quick way to get them back into the swing of things.

[@leedonna5959]

Circle time can be challenging. I have learned from experience that you always should come prepared with different activities. Circle time must be fun for the kids and interesting, something new and fun.

[@kimbers1238]

New sub here. Wow what a great tip when u say if it's just not working stop and if needed abandon and move on. I think that when we force it it's us just wanting control and with this age group it's so much better to be flexible.

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Yes, it's so very true! You will hear me mention it quite a bit in my videos. Flexibility is the key!

[@Debbie5304]

Thanks Sheryl! Your wise words are always greatly appreciated!!

[@thecraftypreschooler8263]

you are incredible, 21 yrs of doing in home preschool and i just found you. LOVE THIS Yes, Yes and Yes.

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Thank you - so happy you found my channel! 😊

[@missvampirelover1]

I just enrolled in cert 3 early childhood education and care a few days ago. I was a bit nervous but remembered I actually watched how things were done when I was in primary school just before finishing I volunteered cause I was always interested in it

[@rosalindhester112]

Amen Sister! God bless you! This advice is GOLDEN :-)

[@cynthiapinto2016]

very valuable advice. thank you so much. appreciate it very much. look forward to more valuable tips from you.

[@rsevere9346]

I needed to hear this video. It is very hard at times.

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Regine Severe - You are not alone feeling that way. Circle time can be very challenging, and it’s probably the most common subject when teachers ask for help.

[@sam_shadyyy2972]

Just learned the icky sticky bubblegum song recently it’s awesome!

[@MsSHERYLC]

Oh yes! That one gets them engaged every time. I like to go around the circle and ask each child where they want their bubblegum to stick. They love it!

[@princesscheap6576]

Thank you for the advice I am so nervous and excited I’m the lead teacher of a class of 3 and 4 year old and I have never taught a day in my life

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Make sure to check out this resource, too: teaching2and3yearolds.com/survival-guide-preschool-teachers/

[@chrispeterson3647]

you'll do great if you just love the kids! It all works out!!!

[@jessicam6220]

THANK YOU ! I know this video is old but I really needed to hear this! I’ve been teaching a small learning pod since January - only 3 kids - 1 of which is my son. 2 of the children turn 3 this month and my son will be 3 in august. And I’ve really been struggling lately! It seems none of my attention grabbers are working anymore. I know I need to take the time and find something new - love the idea of the props! I’m just finding myself exhausted and in that power struggle - especially when it’s my own kid and they all are antagonizing each other’s behavior. I’m clearly just rambling/venting in a random comment section haha . But Definitely subscribing. Thanks again!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

You are not alone. So many share your feelings, and I’ve been there many times. It’s not worth the power struggles. Props have definitely helped with my circle times, especially when they were virtual. But I love using them in the classroom as well. Make sure to do a search in my website for other props! I make them regularly. 😊

[@ericamissejackson438]

I needed this. I followed a few of these tips and they have helped tremendously. I stopped stressing when they started losing interest in circle time.

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

I'm so happy some of the tips helped, Erica!

[@ascensioncano3606]

Thanks for your advice💖🙏

[@jjuneau1976]

Thank you!! I really needed to hear this. ❤

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@kristicook9568]

Thank you, just thank you! You have helped me so much!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

I'm so happy this video has been helpful! We all have those difficult circle times. I had to cut one short this week, in fact.

[@roselehmann9315]

Such a VALUABLE video!!!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Rose Lehmann - Thank you!

[@sidrafarhan911]

Soooooooooooo helpful. Thank you

[@claudiaserrano5221]

OMG, a big thank you for this video!! I am a new KG2 teacher and This video set me free :)

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

I’m so glad it helped! 😊

[@MARECELandCURTIS]

Hi there,I have been watching your videos and I learned a lot of things from your videos. You are amazing and I love learning different things how to teach better. I have been teaching toddlers and preschoolers for about 15 years and still there are things that I need to learn. When I watched all your videos,I learned a lot from your methods of teaching. Thanks for sharing love it and I subscribed and hit the bell button of your channel. 🥰

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

I am so happy my videos have helped! Yes, no matter how many years someone has been teaching, there is always more to learn. I love this quote a mentor sent me: “Teach what you know and continue to grow”. Thank you for being part of this community, and I hope you have a great year! ❤️

[@MARECELandCURTIS]

@@Teaching2and3YearOlds thanks for messaging me ,you made me smile and happy. That quote is awesome. I have been watching your videos I learned a lot from it.

[@MARECELandCURTIS]

@@Teaching2and3YearOlds I hit the bell so I will get notify from your videos always 🥰

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

@@MARECELandCURTIS - Happy to hear this!

[@MARECELandCURTIS]

@@Teaching2and3YearOlds I’m so happy to meet you also 👍

[@ascensioncano3606]

I have never heard the song " Icky sticky Bubblegum song". I am going to listen to it. Thanks from Italy💖🙏

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

It's one of the very first songs I sang when I started teaching. Those first few years were really rough, so this song was like the only thing I could do to keep their attention! I heard it from the late Bev Bus, but now you can find it by several different artists.

[@KindredKeepsake]

Thank you very much~

[@sarahenglish6162]

Follow their lead!! Expand off their ideas and they will regain interest. If your story or circle isn’t something they are interested in they will get distracted, and it’s okay to by wrong, ask them what they are interested in doing. Offer choices, a different story? Maybe they want to sing a song or maybe a dance party? When you feel you are losing them don’t take it to heart, kids interests change quickly, doesn’t mean we have to feel bad that our idea didn’t go as planned. Try reading a story later that day, during snack time or maybe the next day. Sometimes when they are high energy it’s not developmentally appropriate to force little ones to sit still for a book. The most important thing is that they are having fun cause when they are having fun they are learning!!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Absolutely! ❤️

[@chrispeterson3647]

You are amazing!

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Chris Peterson Just trying time help others teachers, especially on those hard days.

[@CristinasLife]

Yes, songs always stop kodson their tracks! I've learned to be flexible during circle time. 5 years of teaching experience now

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

Being flexible is definitely the key. I've seen teachers feel they need to finish the "planned" circle time even after they've lost their students' attention. It's okay to stop and move on to something else!

[@CristinasLife]

@@Teaching2and3YearOlds Yes, and it's okay to have have circle time later in the day

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

@@CristinasLife - It really is! I’ve often stopped and tried again later.

[@largefamilychaos1837]

It's so hard to stop. I like to fight to keep going. I will try this.

[@Teaching2and3YearOlds]

LargeFamily Chaos - Let me know how it goes!