Circle Time is my favorite time to work on IEP goals with my preschool students. I can work on several speech and/or language goals during a 20-30-minute period (as long as I have focus and engagement during circle time). This makes it easy to provide the required service time for my students with IEPs. It’s also perfect for inclusion classes…kids with and without disabilities both learn and have fun.
But sometimes, preschoolers have other things on their minds besides focusing and engaging in circle time activities. They talk to their peers, jostle the person sitting next to them, try to get up and leave, or even start crying…loudly. This is when you’d rather be anywhere else! But, there are ways to create an atmosphere that facilitates engagement, focus, and participation. Let’s get started on how to do it:
Ten Ways to Improve Focus and Engagement During Circle Time Activities
1. Set Clear Expectations
Clearly communicate the rules and expectations from the start so every child understands what behavior is expected during preschool circle time. At the beginning of the year, review the rules often, gradually reducing reminders as students become more consistent in following them.
2. Provide Visual Schedules
Display a visual schedule with words and/or pictures to outline the flow of circle time activities. Visual schedules help reduce anxiety, provide a sense of security, and ensure students feel more prepared for transitions throughout the session.
3. Use Movement Breaks
Incorporate physical activities or ‘brain breaks’ to allow children an outlet for pent-up energy. Slowly stretching or engaging in gentle movements can help refocus their attention, reduce restlessness, and prepare them to engage more effectively in learning activities.
4. Use Props
I absolutely LOVE to use props. It can be something as simple as a “talking stick” to indicate who gets to talk, to something more elaborate like bringing in a sled to class to talk about winter activities. Kids are engaged, motivated, and focused when props are involved. Use them as much as possible.
5. Use Music
Use lots of songs and music during circle time to build vocabulary and to teach rhythm and rhyming. This is one of the best ways to improve focus and engagement during circle time activities!
6. Use Repetition
Do the kids get bored of doing the same thing again and again? NOPE! They enjoy it more and more as they do something again and again. Their interest in the activity increases because they know what’s coming and can anticipate what to do. As a result, their focus and engagement during circle time improves!
7. Peer Modeling
Teach and then model the behavior you would like to see from your students. Don’t just tell them what to do, show them. A demonstration will provide much more information than a set of verbal instructions. You and/or a staff member might provide the model first. If possible, provide an additional model with a student demonstrating for the rest of the class.
8. Use Short Segments
You can successfully conduct 20-30-minute push-in speech therapy sessions, but try to break circle time into short, manageable segments. Preschoolers have short attention spans, and shorter activities help maintain engagement. For example, you might read a story for 10 minutes, sing some songs for 5 minutes, and then finish with a 10-minute interactive turn-taking activity using a smartboard.
9. Implement Peer Buddying
Pair children with positive behavior with those who struggle, placing good peer models on one or both sides of a less cooperative or easily distracted student to guide them toward better behavior.
10. Individualize Accommodations
Recognize and address individual needs, especially for students with disabilities. Initially, you may need to provide substantial support to help them succeed, but gradually reduce that support as their focus and engagement during circle time improve. Over time, aim for them to participate with minimal assistance or reminders. Instead of expecting quick fixes, celebrate their progress throughout the year, reinforcing their growth and accomplishments.
To get specific examples for improving focus and engagement during circle time activities, sign up for my 10-page booklet of implementation strategies. You’ll also get FIVE additional ideas, PLUS my #1 way to keep preschoolers from complaining and whining about not getting a turn. This will save you from pulling your hair out and wishing you never had to do circle time again!
