Group Time Rut!

Group Time Rut!

by: silverdoor83 - 15-07-06 19:13

Hi,

I work in a private day nursery. The children in my room are 2.5-3 years. As a team we feel that we're stuck in a group time rut and are getting a bit fed up of stories and singing. Although these activities obviously have their positive aspects we feel like its all we do. Can anyone give me some fresh ideas? We usually have 12 children at a time so it needs to be something to involve everyone and keep them interested for around 20 minutes. Thanks in advance

by: antonysimpson.com

Just in circle time? Or generally?

Are the children more 2.5 yrs or more 3 yrs way??

If it's just cicle time, and they are more three way you could try "What I did yesterday" questions, new songs (bob the builder is quite popular - although you already probably do that?).

It is important when you feel like that to recognise that the children probably feel a bit like it too!! So you probably want to throw in something fresh but keep a few of the "oldies" for the sake of familiarity!!

Hope that helps,

Antony
antony.a@antonysimpson.com

Group Time Rut! - 16-07-06 15:58

by: silverdoor83

The children range from 2.5 to 3 years. They aren't closer to one age than the other. It's mainly just in circle time. All we seem to do is read stories and sing. I think the children probably do feel a bit sick of it too!

Group Time Rut! - 16-07-06 19:36

by: baby_girl

What about using the circle time to do games?
With toddlers, I've done a ball rolling game where they roll the ball to another child saying their name. then child rolls it to another, etc....
Also what about king's keys where one child sits in the middle on a chair with a set of keys underneath. One person, (adult or child) takes the keys and the 'king' has to guess who has taken it.
You could do copying movements.
Also, this age group can take part in simple circle time sessions such as 'Who lives at my house?' 'Who are my friends'
Hope these ideas help!

Group Time Rut! - 17-07-06 21:03

by: habibi

Hi - we play lots of different games at group time. Memory games are good. You can relate them to your topic or go for numbers, shapes etc. For example - if you are doing farm animals you could start off with three farm animals from your toy farm set (cow, sheep, horse) Discuss them, then lay them in a row on the carpet (the children need to sit in a semi circle so they can all see)and cover them with a piece of fabric, pick one up in your hand, then take the fabric away (hiding the one you have in the fabric) and the children have to guess which one you took away. You can make it easier or harder by using more or fewer objects. Then progress to numbers and shapes depending on the children's ability.

Another memory game we play - you need a white board or blackboard. Draw a picture on it - something simple and related to your topic. For example a cat. Get the children to close their eyes then rub one or more of the features away (an ear or eye) then when the children open their eyes they guess whats missing. You can then ask one of them to come out and draw the missing feature back on again. You can do this with any of your topics - tractor, lion, people. When you are drawing it for the first time the children can help you by saying what needs to be drawn to make a certain picture helping with their
vocabulary.Draw it in stages and ask them to help you remember what else you need.

You could also have talking circle time. Use a teddy or toy and start off talking circles. Whoever has the teddy gets to talk so you could start off by asking very simple questions about what they did at the weekend or what their favourite toy
or game is and they pass the teddy round as they answer the question. Puppets are also great for this. There are ots of books on talking cirles or circle time too so they might help. Good Luck!! Hope you feel inspired and let us know how you get on!

Group Time Rut! - 18-07-06 22:22

by: silverdoor83

I tried baby_girl's copying movements today and it went really well. The children loved it and they all sat nicely for around fifteen minutes. I'm going to try the ball one but must remember to bring a ball in. I'm definitely going to try the memory games too. Thank you for your advice guys and remember, any more ideas, bring them this way!

Group Time Rut! - 18-07-06 22:43

by: baby_girl

Hi. Glad it went well. They do love that one cos they're just getting into the copying stage and find it funny.
The only thing I would say about the ball one is just to monitor it and make sure no-one is left out.

Group Time Rut! - 28-07-06 00:57

by: beecj

Have you brought a puppet in? involve the children. I introduced a spider puppet - cos a few children were really scared of them (no I'm not cruel.There's a method to my madness.)
I said I had a really shy friend with me, who was really scared(my spider). I gave the spider a very sad worried little voice. Explained that my spider had no friends, would they like to be his friend.Bring stories/rhymes to life - Little mis muffet "everytime i sit down with lil miss muffet she just screams and runs away . I only want to be her friend . every1 does the same."

Do you know it worked! even the most scared children came round and looked forward to insey coming to tell them a story or rhyme etc. Give your puppet a personality.