"I'm curious about any circle activities you may use for preschools who are not yet imitating. We're using discrete trial and I find it so boring. I'm also wondering about ratio of staff to children in the preschool class when implementing schedules during the day. Thanks, your site has given me much needed new inspiration!" Bev

Answer: Jane Mather, M.Ed., Preschool Teacher

Young children are most successful with a Circle Time that has a consistent daily routine. By repeating the same Circle activities every day, the children will become familiar with your expectations and begin to imitate your actions on their own.

For example, you might think about beginning Circle Time with a catchy good morning song to get the children's attention and then shake each child's hand or wave to each as you sing individually to them. Strive to have them wave independently and/or say "Hello" when it is their turn.

To teach written name recognition include a quick activity where each child has a turn to get his name tag and match it to a photo of himself on a hello chart. In this way the children will be learning to follow directions and participate independently.

You could also include a simple flannel board Weather activity where a child gets the flannel sun, cloud, or rain drops, etc. after you identify the day's weather. In this way, the children are learning concepts but do not have to imitate to be successful.

In addition, to keep their attention and help them learn new fun skills you might include a sensory activity such as blowing bubbles, switching a flashlight off and on or floating soft scarves around the children in a peek-a-boo type game. Demonstrate a quick puppet activity and then have each child put on the puppet. Use a mystery feel box that the children stick a hand in and identify and object they pull out. Introduce a simple story or poem and reproduce it on a flannel board.

Another idea for Circle Time is to demonstrate how to use a new toy and then let each child have a turn to try it out. For instance, if you have a new train set each child could have a turn to push the train around the track. In this way, you have a structured activity in which to teach appropriate play.

Other ideas include introducing a finger play, or throwing bean bags in a container. If your students cannot do the movement activities help them to be successful by physically moving them through it. When they understand the expectations they may participate independently which is a first step in learning to imitate.

Keep the Circle Time to about 10 minutes. Spend only about 2 minutes on each sub-activity (song, getting names, weather, physical activity). End the activity while the children's interest level is still high so they will be eager to participate again tomorrow.

To answer your student-teacher ratio question, I find that 6 children per 1 teacher and a teacher's assistant works well.