Circle Time at Jabneh Christian Academy

Rev. Dr. Natasha Francis-Campbell

August 2021

Circle time has been a segment on our timetables in our Early Stimulation Unit.  As I worked on the timetables this time around, I wondered if all our parents understood what this segment is about. If you do, here goes a reminder. If you didn’t, here goes new information.  Let us dig in!

Pre-COVID-19, the icons and teachers would sit on mats on the floor in a circle for this session.  Getting students to sit in a circle is not as easy as it sounds initially.  You try it.

COVID-19 is still around, therefore, the icons will remain in their seats.

Circle time is a well-anticipated session for the icons for several reasons including the following.

• they get to take turns in leading activities.
• it provides opportunities for social interactions.  This was always important but now more so in an era where we are forced to be socially distanced.
• It aids in the development of positive relationships.
• Each icon is celebrated at some point of the session.
• they can get loud.
• they get to laugh their socks off.
• it sets the tone for the rest of the day.
• they get to learn more about themselves in this session.
• they get a chance to earn stars.

What do we do during Circle Time?

1. Complete Routine Tasks
   • Set the calendar
     • recite the days
     • identify the day
     • determine the day that passed
     • determine the day to come next
     • recite the months
     • tell the current month
     • determine how old the month is on that day
   • celebrate birthdays
   • highlight upcoming events.
   • celebrate each other
     • new hairdo’s/haircuts
     • missing tooth
     • missing tooth photo shoot
     • most punctual , etc

• Icons are engaged in numeracy using games, songs and dramatic expressions.
  • How old are you?
  • number of the day
  • number members in the families, etc
  • the number of letters in one’s name

• Literacy
  • reciting the alphabet
  • learning letter names and letter sounds using the Auntie Nats videos.
  • learning blends and other phonetic elements according to readiness in literacy.
  • syllabication

• Listening Skills
  • Icons listen to facilitators and classmates and carry out tasks
• Language Development

1. learning to introduce self.
   • develop feeling vocabulary and learn to label their feelings correctly.
   • describe nouns- show and tell
   • Role play- community helpers
   • develop dexterity and agility
   • promote gross motor skills.
2. Covid Management education
   • masking
   • unmasking
   • sanitising
   • handwashing
   • social distancing

• Introduction of new concepts

Circle time is usually immediately after Christian Education daily.

Icons are at a disadvantage when they arrive late or are absent.