Thank you Karen Lefkovitz and Tim Kaminski. I think what's striking is the idea of how these folks think of meeting time. Part of this discussion is how many children are in the group?? Smaller groups work better in this situation than larger groups. While some groups of 2s are okay with a short meeting time, nearly all 18 months olds aren't.
A short time where most of the children are engaged with the teacher around something - music, book, etc. would qualify. Having them all required to sit would not qualify.
A key is SHORT and interesting. When they leave, they are telling you they are not engaged and it's time for something else.
It's a "dance" between the teacher's idea of what will engage the children and their idea of what they'll engage in.
Great topic!
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Ellen Cogan, MS Ed - Owner, Chief Consultant - HILLTOP Early Childhood SERVICES
NYS Early Learning Credentialed Trainer
NYS Master Cadre, Pyramid Model
Implementation Planner, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership
www.earlychildinfo.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 01-29-2021 11:42 AM
From: Karen Lefkovitz
Subject: What age is appropriate to introduce circle time/ morning meeting?
Many valuable opinions and techniques have been offered, so I'll just add a few observations. Some teachers may be successful in holding a toddler circle because they have a close and longstanding relationship with the children in their class. Others may have a charismatic and compelling performance style. These conditions don't apply to all teachers, so it's not surprising that many teachers would struggle to hold toddlers' attention.
My favorite way to hold a toddler reading circle (Pre-COVID, I am not teaching in-person currently): I grab a few very simple books that I think they will like, if possible, relating to the materials I'm planning to set out. I place the books nearby, where the children can see them. I bring out their favored materials, usually blocks, duplos, vehicles, etc. curated a bit so as not to overwhelm the space. We play alongside each other, together, wherever the mood goes. Eventually a child will notice a book I've put out, crawl into my lap and ask to read. As we start, others will often come over and cuddle in. Because we are sitting right in the midst of play, all the children have access to the book, to dip in or out, to listen, comment or just feel the warmth of the gathering.
While this may not appear to be a planned circle, there is planning involved. I hope that my book choices speak to the play they are doing, and show that books relate to their lives. More important: literacy is founded on warm relationships, transferring the cozy feeling between us, to cozy feelings about books. As a specialist, I work with families to create that connection in the unique ways they are able to develop within their family routines. The same goes for us teachers.
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Karen Lefkovitz
Independent Consultant
Philadelphia PA
Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2021 11:17 AM
From: Tim Kaminski
Subject: What age is appropriate to introduce circle time/ morning meeting?
We have a reading circle time starting in our 12-18 month old classroom. It has always amazed me how are teachers in that classroom are able to get 5-6 toddlers to sit down in a semi circle and listen to her reading a book. The books are short and filled with lots of pictures. She is very animated when she reads the stories, but she also includes the children in the stories getting them to repeat single word naming items from the pictures in the book, identifying different colors in the pictures, or if there are animals in the book, getting them to imitate animal noises. This is usually no longer than a 10-15 minute activity and then they are off and running around again.
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Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX
Original Message:
Sent: 01-28-2021 11:02 AM
From: Scott Mesh
Subject: What age is appropriate to introduce circle time/ morning meeting?
I am a Fan of morning meetings as long as they are done well. Tough with really little ones. Our special needs centers have 2 year olds with special needs including autism. I think the important thing is not that all are sitting still and quiet. Its important to get children used to routines, used to taking turns, sharing, calling on them with their names and so forth. SHORT is good. My kids attended Bank Street's Family center in NYC, a fabulous program with typically developing and those with special needs. It was great. Saying hello is good ("Good morning to Maxie to Maxie....."), a short book, simple things. Techniques matter and I would not sweat it if some are not so focused. We've also attended mommy and me classes and I see a similar benefit including with toddlers, getting used to routines, following the speaker, following simple directions, help with language and more. Music is usually a great way to get their attention (cell phone or instruments and singing).
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Scott Mesh, PhD, CEO
Los Niños Services (NYC) www.losninos.com
Young Child Expo & Conference www.youngchildexpo.com
scott.mesh@losninos.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmeshnyc/
Original Message:
Sent: 01-26-2021 05:19 AM
From: Cherrita Lusane
Subject: What age is appropriate to introduce circle time/ morning meeting?
Hello
I have a group home program and I have mostly 1 1/2 year-olds and 1 preschooler. I've rearranged the classroom to establish centers and I just started circle time without technology. This has been extremely difficult and I'm wondering if they're too young for this?
What age is appropriate to introduce circle time/ morning meeting?
Thank you
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Cherrita Lusane
Owner- Operator
It Takes A Village Childcare, LLC
Norristown PA
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