Circle time in early childhood settings fosters a sense of community and supports the development of all children by allowing them to feel a sense of belonging to the group. It can especially benefit children struggling to learn a new language or who feel shy in groups. While communication during circle time occurs through physical presence and synchronization rather than just language, it still promotes the development of communication skills through opportunities for language learning embedded in songs, stories, and illustrations. Circle time also supports language development in children by allowing each child to choose whether to contribute or remain silent, and the companionship of others can help break down barriers. Since circle time provides endless opportunities for reading, discussion, and play, it is an opportunity for children to learn and grow in

1. Aieysha Currin
SOE115
Psychology of Teaching and Learning
Kendall College

2.  As a vehicle for learning, circle time in early
childhood settings fosters a sense of
community. Although it supports the
development of all children – each child,
regardless of ability, can experience a feeling of
belonging to the group during circle time.
Circle time can be of special benefit to children
struggling to learn a new language or who feel
shy and awkward in a group setting.

3.  According to “Early Childhood News” Much of
the effectiveness of circle time comes from the fact
that its power is not fundamentally rooted in
language. Communication occurs through the
physical presence of other children, the joining of
hands, and the synchronization of movement and
gesture. Even so, circle time promotes the
development of communication skills. It provides
many opportunities for language learning that is
pleasantly embedded in singing, where it is often
supported by gesture as in the “eentsy weentsy”
spider, or in listening, especially when stories are
illustrated with colorful pictures.

4.  Circle time is an excellent tool for supporting
language-delayed children as well. During
circletime ,each child can choose to make a
contribution or remain silent. For the troubled
child, the companionship of others can break
down barriers and foster healing and
communication.

5.  Since the opportunities for reading, discussion, and play in
circle time are endless, so too is the opportunity for children
to learn and grow. How to behave appropriately in a group
is a learned skill, which prepares young children for more
formal education, for other group activities, and for many
experiences in adult life. Everything from social skills to
language to empathy can be gained with practice in circle
time. For example, when children:
 are allowed to express feelings and ideas to a group without
judgment, they gain confidence.
 practice taking turns listening and speaking during circle
time, they learn valuable skills in positive communication.
 are introduced to a wide variety of concepts, people, and
ideas in circle time, they learn acceptance.

6.  As a teacher in a preschool classroom,I have
witnessed and agree with each sources point of
view,circletime opens up each child and they
learn and grow tremendously from just the
small amount spent coming together and
learning from each other.

7.  Circle time is and always has been beneficial to the
children as well as the teacher. Just recently, we were
told that the children in my class didn’t need circle
time because they were too small and their attention
span was to short, but I begged to differ and through
this research,it just solidified my thoughts, and even
though it is no longer required, I still gather my babies
and spend that time with them each morning because
it does foster development ,even at the infant stage,it
just has to be done to accommodate the age and stage
the children are at.

8.  Absolutely !!!
 Circle time is an important daily activity in the preschool classroom.
Think about all the things that happen during circle time. Children listen
to a story, learn who is present and absent, discuss the daily schedule,
talk about special happenings in their lives, find out about new materials
in the classroom, and perhaps, sing a song or do a movement activity.
 When children have opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas in a
safe, encouraging environment, they begin to learn that they are valued,
capable, and important members of the group. The classic and familiar
"Show and Tell" time can be transformed from a focus on what I have to
who I am or what I can do to help others. Children can share a drawing
they created, teach a song, summarize a favorite story, or show how they
created a structure. In a well-planned circle time, children also get to
know one another, each other's families, feelings, and ideas. This
community knowledge helps children feel a part of the group.

9.  “Simply put, Circle Time has numerous
benefits and adds incredible value to a class
community. It is a time to meet together as a
large group, to respect each other’s voices, to
practice keeping little bodies in their own
space, and to work on following instructions. It
is also a time to enjoy one another and to talk
about topics directly. Sometimes it’s even the
perfect environment to learn a new skill.”

10. Parks, L. (2014). Circle time: Making large group activities
work. Texas Child Care, 38(2), 8-12.
Internet source November 14,2016
childrenscampus.com/blog/benefits-of-preschool-circle-time/
Vargo, K., Heal, N., Epperley, K., & Kooistra, E. (2014). The Effects of
a Multiple Schedule Plus Rules on Hand Raising During Circle Time in
Preschool Classrooms. Journal Of Behavioral Education, 23(3), 326-
343. doi:10.1007/s10864-014-9199-3