Circle time strategies
to use when children can’t sit still
By: Ashlee Steward
Make it about them
If you are going to try to have circle time and talk about
something that doesn’t make sense to the children it will
be difficult to get them to sit still and listen.
Make it relevant to them and you will be more likely to get
your children interested enough to sit still.
Give me five
Set the boundaries with ‘Give me five’ so they understand
the expected behaviour:
Legs are crossed, hands are still, ears are listening, eyes are
watching and lips are zipped.
Teach personal space
Some children are just not going to sit still so, if you can, give them their own personal space. You could
use carpet squares or hula hoops so that the children can move or wiggle about.
Teach them how to stay in that personal space without touching others.
Tell them that if they stay in their personal space they don’t have to sit on the carpet but can still do all
the awesome things you are doing during your circle time.
Keep it short
Circle time should be short and sweet, children will get bored if it is a repetitive 30 minutes to an hour.