In many preschools and childcare centers, circle time is a complicated and stressful thing - because they've been asked to sit still! I was asked numerous times by the parents that “How would you make my 2 year old sit still in the circle time?” My immediate follow up question is “Who said that young children should sit still for 20 mins in circle time?”
I always get surprised that I've been asked the same question by many parents. Most of them were from the childcare centers and top rated brand name schools. The parents were told that the kid is not sitting or paying attention and not socialized. It is very difficult for little ones to sit for long time. I find that some kindergartners will sit still, and some four-year olds will too, when there's a story or a song or something to look at that interests them enough. If the centers are not letting kids to move around freely, then how can children be well socialized? Tom Hunter, a well regarded expert and keynote speaker on early childhood education has articulated well on this subject in his NAEYC article. Children need to move. Movement is better and helps for the brain and body to develop. Tom has concluded that a research conducted by orthopedic specialists found out certain injuries among the teenagers now have never been seen in such numbers, probably because in early childhood many kids sit around, often in front of screens for hours together! Research suggests that if we want smarter and stronger kids, we should shut off the screens and go play in the park with our children.
Preschool teachers should understand that children need to move and we need to continuously encourage them to do so by creating an environment which they can be active and safe. Sitting still makes us dumber. The brain doesn't grow and prevents children from socializing with others.
At Sailors Preschool the circle time entices kids of all ages, because the circle time is made of interesting stories and they are not sitting still. We incorporate music and movement. Kids continuously move and are encouraged to do so. Children pay attention not because we tell them to or bribe or threaten them but because we provide something that interests them. Encouraging kids to explore outdoors, with hands on learning that is fun and educational to young children always makes them feel connected and helps them pay attention to you, even if they are moving continuously. Next time, when you want your little one to pay attention don't tell him/her to sit still..ensure you are presenting it in a way that interests them. Just sharing my thoughts...
I always get surprised that I've been asked the same question by many parents. Most of them were from the childcare centers and top rated brand name schools. The parents were told that the kid is not sitting or paying attention and not socialized. It is very difficult for little ones to sit for long time. I find that some kindergartners will sit still, and some four-year olds will too, when there's a story or a song or something to look at that interests them enough. If the centers are not letting kids to move around freely, then how can children be well socialized? Tom Hunter, a well regarded expert and keynote speaker on early childhood education has articulated well on this subject in his NAEYC article. Children need to move. Movement is better and helps for the brain and body to develop. Tom has concluded that a research conducted by orthopedic specialists found out certain injuries among the teenagers now have never been seen in such numbers, probably because in early childhood many kids sit around, often in front of screens for hours together! Research suggests that if we want smarter and stronger kids, we should shut off the screens and go play in the park with our children.
Preschool teachers should understand that children need to move and we need to continuously encourage them to do so by creating an environment which they can be active and safe. Sitting still makes us dumber. The brain doesn't grow and prevents children from socializing with others.
At Sailors Preschool the circle time entices kids of all ages, because the circle time is made of interesting stories and they are not sitting still. We incorporate music and movement. Kids continuously move and are encouraged to do so. Children pay attention not because we tell them to or bribe or threaten them but because we provide something that interests them. Encouraging kids to explore outdoors, with hands on learning that is fun and educational to young children always makes them feel connected and helps them pay attention to you, even if they are moving continuously. Next time, when you want your little one to pay attention don't tell him/her to sit still..ensure you are presenting it in a way that interests them. Just sharing my thoughts...
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