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Circle Time is a teaching strategy which allows the teacher to explore issues of concern. Also, it allows children to explore and address issues which concern them. It provides a structured mechanism for solving problems, in which all participants have an equal footing. Circle Time affords the opportunity for the teacher and class to communicate with each other about issues which promote self-esteem and positive behaviour. Circle Time should not be regarded as a sanction, and as children begin to understand the mechanism, they will ask the teacher for a Circle Time session when they think it is necessary. It’s particularly useful for: • developing trust • helping a class to ‘gel’ • working on problems • developing children’s awareness of their responsibilities towards others and themselves • exploring new ideas • developing moral values • helping children to feel they ‘belong’ • making children feel special • having fun Circle Time shouldn’t just be a time to chat; it needs a specific structure to make sure all children have the opportunity to be involved.Certain ground rules apply, and children are often involved in deciding what those rules should be. Common rules include: •Putting hands up to speak, and not interrupting; •Taking turns; •Allowing children to ‘pass’ if they don’t want to speak; •Valuing all contributions and not putting anyone down. During Circle Time, children should sit in a circle, either on the floor or on chairs. Their teacher is part of the circle, too, and while they will direct the activities, they should aim to keep a low profile so children have a chance to speak up. Teachers will choose from a range of activities, such as co-operative games, rounds, musical games, drama activities, talking and listening exercises, puppets and masks.Sometimes, a particular issue that’s affecting the class, school or a pupil is tackled; on other occasions, there may be more general discussions around thoughts and feelings.A typical Circle Time might follow the following format: •Activity 1: Simon Says. This helps children start to listen, look and concentrate. •Activity 2: a musical game. The teacher might beat a drum or similar instrument, and children march on the spot, imitating the beat: loud, soft, fast, slow etc. When the instrument stops, the children stop too. •Activity 3: Talking Ted. The teacher tells the class a short story about a boy who has started at a new school and is having trouble making friends. He feels lonely and sad. The children then pass the Talking Ted (or other object) around the circle, and say what makes them feel sad. They are allowed to and have their turn at the end of the round if they want. This encourages them to talk about their feelings and empathise with others. •Activity 4: an imagination game. The teacher has a magic wand, waves it, and says, ‘You are all elephants/dogs/tigers’ etc. The children do the sounds and actions in the circle. The wand is then passed from child to child to try. •Final activity: a calming down game. The teacher tells the children to freeze on the spot, like statues. The statues then slowly melt to the ground. Circle Time should be fun and light-hearted, and always ends on a positive note with an activity that calms children down and gets them back into learning mode. Last but not least, Circle time can help children to enjoy learning. It also helps children with their friendships and strengthens the relationship between the teacher and the class.
