How to Add More to Circle Time in Your Classroom (10 Fun Ideas!)

Finding that your circle time is running out of steam a little too soon? Feel like you’re scrambling to fill the gaps, or that your kiddos’ attention spans are about as short as their snack breaks? You’re not alone.

Circle time can be one of the most engaging and enriching parts of the school day, but sometimes it needs a little extra something to keep things lively and meaningful. So, let’s talk about how to add more to circle time.

What is Circle Time?

Circle time is a daily routine used in many preschools and elementary schools where kids gather in a circle to participate in group activities.

This time is typically used for songs, storytelling, sharing, and games, all aimed at developing social skills, building community, and reinforcing learning in a fun, engaging way.

Why Circle Time is Essential

Circle time isn’t just a time-filler—it’s a valuable part of the day that offers multiple benefits:

Social Development: Kids learn to listen, take turns, and communicate their thoughts in a group setting.
Community Building: Helps foster a sense of belonging and inclusion.
Cognitive Skills: Reinforces learning through songs, stories, and games that target different developmental areas.
Emotional Growth: Provides a safe space for children to express their feelings and learn empathy by listening to others.
Schedule and Expectations: Circle time is an opportunity for teachers to talk about what is going to happen that day, create expectations and help kids prepare. This can be particularly important for anxious kids and those who need to plan.

Average Attention Spans and How to Improve Them

Before we jump into new activities, let’s get real about attention spans.

Here’s a quick look at the average attention span for kids during circle time:

Now, these are just averages. Some days, they might surprise you with their engagement; other days, even a butterfly outside the window is more fascinating. I say this only to point out that if your kindergarten circle time is already 10-15 minutes, you might be pushing it by trying to add more to circle time.

If kids love circle time, though, it can be a great way to work on increasing attention spans. And, sprinkle in some “non preferred” activities that we like to talk about in special ed land.

To keep them on track, try these tricks:

Mix it up: Alternate between high-energy activities (songs, movement games) and calming ones (storytime, breathing exercises).
Use Visuals: Kids love visuals. Use picture cards, props, or even puppets to capture their attention.
Interactive Storytelling: Let them act out parts of the story, or use a storytelling glove or story stones.
Set a Routine: Kids thrive on routine, so keep a consistent schedule while varying the activities within it.

How to Add More to Your Circle Time

If you’re looking to expand your circle time, here are some creative activities you can include:

Morning Greetings: Start with a fun greeting song or a new handshake each week.
Morning Meeting Questions: Kids love to talk about themselves, so have a question each day.
Weather Watcher: Assign a daily “Weather Watcher” who reports on the weather, using visuals like weather cards.
Calendar Time: Teach days of the week, months, and dates using a classroom calendar.
Show and Tell: This classic activity helps build confidence and communication skills. There are many variations of this classic activity online, as we don’t want it to be about “stuff.”
Movement Breaks: Incorporate dance, yoga, or simple exercises to keep the wiggles away.
Storytime with a Twist: Add interactive elements to stories, such as asking predictive questions or having kids draw parts of the story.
Emotion Check-In: Use emotion cards and let kids pick how they’re feeling, fostering emotional intelligence.
Rhyme Time: Use rhyming games or songs to develop phonemic awareness.
Mystery Bag: A sensory activity where kids feel an object in a bag and describe it to the class without looking.

Making Circle Time Last Longer (and More Meaningful!)

So, if your circle time feels like it’s over before it even began, try these tips to make it longer without losing engagement:

Break It Down: Instead of one long circle time, break it into shorter segments throughout the day. This helps manage attention spans while keeping the structure.
Include Kid-Led Activities: Let the children take charge of some activities. Maybe they choose the song or lead a simple game. This increases engagement and gives them a sense of ownership.
Incorporate Learning Goals: Use circle time to reinforce learning objectives. Integrate numbers, letters, colors, or shapes into songs or games. Sneaky learning is the best kind.
Use Visual Timers: Keep a visual timer so children know how long an activity will last. This helps them stay focused because they know an end is in sight.

What If Student are Disrupting Circle Time?

If your circle time is feeling a bit short (or chaotic), you’re not alone. Sometimes, it just takes a few tweaks to make it feel fuller and more meaningful.

If you have students who are disrupting circle time, here are a few strategies to help manage the behavior while keeping the session positive and productive:

Ensure Needs Are Met: If a child is “off” and that can mean sensory issues, hunger, pain, discomfort, anxiety, can’t hear you or see you, or any number of things–they may be distracted or disruptive.
Set Clear Expectations: Start by explaining the rules and what good behavior looks like during circle time. Visual aids or a behavior chart can help reinforce these expectations.
Incorporate Movement Breaks: For students who struggle to sit still, plan short movement activities (like a quick dance or stretch) between circle time tasks to help them release energy.
Use Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge and reward positive behavior. This could be as simple as giving praise, a sticker, or extra privileges for students who are actively participating.
Engage the Disruptive Student: Assign them a special role during circle time, such as “line leader,” “song picker,” or “weather reporter,” to help them feel involved and focused.
Create a Calming Corner: Have a designated spot with calming tools (like a stress ball or fidget toy) where a child can go if they feel overwhelmed or need a break from the group.
Break Down Activities: Divide longer activities into smaller parts to maintain engagement. Keep tasks varied to reduce boredom and potential disruptions.
Incorporate Interests: Tailor activities to the interests of disruptive students to capture their attention and make circle time more engaging for them.

By using these strategies, you can help maintain a positive and inclusive circle time where all students feel engaged and supported.

Mix up activities, play with the pacing, and most importantly, have fun with it. After all, circle time is a fantastic opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together as a classroom community.

Let’s make those few extra minutes count!