Circle Time- Schedule

By this time you've figured out how to physically set up your circle time and you've picked a welcome song. Next, you need to plan your circle time schedule. The schedule should be the framework for how you will run circle time each day. A schedule is important because it will make circle time structured and predictable, reducing any behavior problems that might arise.

Here is my sample schedule:

1. Welcome Song
2. Brief Lesson
3. Song (around the theme)
4. Story (around the theme)

If you're doing circle time with a child with special needs you might consider making your schedule visual. This is an especially good idea if the child is low-verbal and is using PECS. Make your schedule visual by placing a picture representing each of the 4 parts listed above on a strip of paper. You can point to each picture as you go through circle time and teach your child what the pictures represent.

Here is a sample visual schedule:



Keep in mind that you can arrange circle time however you wish - you're in charge! Just keep it simple, keep it brief, and keep it consistent.