Last Updated on September 30, 2024 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: Toddler circle time can be tricky with short attention spans and lots of energy. Here are some tips to make this time more successful.
Recently one of my readers asked me about circle time with 2 year olds:
Hi. I am a toddler teacher. My students are from 2 to 2 1/2 years old. This is my third week on the new job. I am struggling with circle time and trying to keep their attention on me. I feel like at a loss and a failure. Do you have any tips to share?
It occurred to me that I’ve written several circle time posts for preschoolers, but none on circle time activities for 2 year olds.
If you have anything to add to this, tips that have worked for you, will you please share them in the comments section?
The Secrets to a Successful Toddler Circle Time
You can see more of my circle times in my Instagram circle time highlight bubble!
I will format this post by answering the most popular questions that I’ve been asked regarding circle time with 2 year olds. Feel free to ask me any other questions either in the comments section or by email. (See my about page for the form.) I’ve also added advice from my readers when this question was posted on my Facebook page.
How do you prepare a circle time?
I used to use a basket to store all of my circle time props, as shown in my earlier videos. We now have a shelf unit in our circle time area that includes pull out bins, so I have dedicated one bin to store my props. I share it in this YouTube short.
What do you use for them to sit on?
We use carpet squares. They stack nicely and are comfortable. Fidgety hands like to feel the tufts of yarn in them. We don’t place them in a particular order, like we do with our 3 year olds. You can find our current favorite carpet squares here.
How long should circle with toddlers time be?
That really depends on the group of toddlers. At the start of the school year, it’s very short, about 5-7 minutes. We are simply learning how to gather and look at books. Then, we add a short story. Eventually, we can add an activity, such as music and movement.
Related post: Brilliant Circle Time Strategies When Kids Can’t Sit Still
How do you begin your circle time?
Watch my YouTube short that talks about this!
We sing a song that I made up many years ago:
Come to Circle Song
(Tune: London Bridge)
“It’s time to come to the circle,
to the circle,
to the circle,
it’s time to come to the circle,
find your mat.”
We place a basket of books in the center and they choose one to look at. It’s a nice transition that we also do with our 3 year olds.
CLICK HERE to watch the video!
After a few minutes, and I am ready to sing our good morning song, I sing another song to tell them to put their books away.
Put Your Books Away Song
(Tune: London Bridge)
“It’s time to put your books away,
books away,
books away,
it’s time to put your books away,
so we can start our circle.”
Once they put their books away, I remove the basket of books and sing our good morning song.
Good Morning Song
(Tune: If You’re Happy and You Know It)
“Good morning, good morning, how are you?
Good morning, good morning, how are you?
It’s such a special day,
I’m glad you came today,
good morning, good morning, how are you?”
What if a child does not want to come to the circle?
We don’t force our toddlers to come to the circle, but we do encourage them. If they choose not to join us, they can sit in the reading and writing area where there are quiet activities available. It’s close enough so they can still see and hear what we are doing, and might decide to join us.
Don’t worry if they don’t all attend group. They’re only very little and still at the egocentric stage. If they see the ones who are there are having fun, they may watch from a distance (where you can invite them again), or eventually join on their own. – Brittany
What kinds of books work best?
Short books work best with their shorter attention spans. We love interactive books that encourage them to point to different body parts, mimic sounds, and/or move parts of the body. Singable books work well, too! I talk about it in this YouTube short.
What if I just can’t keep their attention?
This happens a lot, trust me. Toddlers are not meant for sitting and focusing on someone else. There have been times I’ve had to close the book before it’s finished because they just weren’t into it. We have boxes of bells, egg shaker instruments, bean bags, and scarves in our classroom cabinet. We have a good selection of music on hand.
Music and movement is the key with this age group! It engages their brain, as well and develops control over their body. Use 2-3 songs (only 1 or 2 each circle time tho) and repeat, repeat, repeat! They will love it! Songs with scarves so they can wave them around and throw in the air are awesome too. – Mary
I finally put down the book and turned on some music and we had a dance party. 5 songs later they were still at it. That was a good 10-15 minutes. – Rhonda
Make sure to check out our favorite playlists!
And then there are props!
I’ve talked about this in my most popular video, The Secrets to a Successful Circle Time and also Printable Props for Circle Time.
Toddlers tend to be more engaged in circle time when you have props, such as puppets and flannel pieces.
I love making stick puppets that we can all hold.
You can find my free circle time props here!
If you’d rather have everything in one download, I offer my most popular circle time props in ONE bundle for a small fee over on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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We always start our circle with a movement song (jumping, hokey pokey, etc.) Then we sing some theme or color/shape related songs, read a short book and take items from the circle can to either “discuss” or practice sharing. Circle on a good day lasts 20 minutes. Sometimes, we’re lucky to get five though! On occassion, we will stop mid-circle and do another movement song. It pays to read your class’ mood and remember to join them. Be in the moment. Some of the best teachable moments aren’t teacher directed.
I also teach two years old my children like for me to read them books that have movements, I like to read Brown Bear, Wheels on the bus or going on a bear hunt, because they can participate and they have thier full attention on you.
I have been teaching toddlers for 25 years. My tip is to alternate quite with movement throughout circle time. Example: we discuss the calendar and count and do daily attendance then all the children stand up and we sing ” I climbed up the apple tree ” while singing the children pretend to climb alternating feet and hands. It is a short folklore with hand movement. We then sit and continue with circle time perhaps introduce our color and read a book about our color then we do another folklore with movement. I have been able to get a 20 minute circle time in.
wow!! that’s awesome, thank you for the advice very helpful!!
So happy it is helpful for you, Jennifer!
I bring some toys that might help with song. Farm animal for them to choose when singing Old MacDonld. Tools when singing bumping up and down I my little red. Wagon. The children pick what they want. I also tell story’s. They like retelling them with me. The old stories they like best. Jack and the Beanstalk, 3 Little Pigs, Goldilocks and the 3 bears and etc. Songs with there name place in them help grab their attention when they start to wandering.
I have found that dividing the class into smaller groups works best. I either repeat the circle time or my assistant and I do circle time in seperate rooms. Much easier to maintain the attention of 6-8 kids at a circle time.
I was told by tutor the adult leading the activity should sit on a chair so all the children can see them. Also it may be good to have a toy for example a bunny and say the rabbit had long listening ears is everyone listening etc. Hope this helps someone. X
I’ve been a toddler teacher for over a year now, and for our circle, I have each toddler grab their own carpet square and come to our green carpet. They do not sit in a corcle, just wherever they set their carpet square. I always start with a discussion about the weather, what happened last night, what they ate for dinner (everyone eats hotdogs in my room lol), or something the kids bring up. We discuss this for a couple minutes and I let each child share. Next we sing some songs, always ones that have movement and rythum (bring home a baby bumblebee, icky sticky bubble gum, itsy bitsy spider, etc). I will ask the children for suggestions and i will pick the songs too. To end circle I talk to the toddlers about our plan for the day and what art/music/gross motor play activities we will be doing. Some days go better than others, but you just have to make use of the attention and time they hive you. There is nothing wrong with ending early or skipping a few steps. Go with the flow of the toddlers and circle time will flow smoothly.
I was a preschool teacher for many years. Upon retirement I started a playgroup for 2 and 3 year olds. I really struggled with circle time, I did some problem solving and here are a few tips I came up with that turned a struggle into a fun and manageable circle time for my group. First I decided that it was me, I had to come down with my expectations… I used small hula hoops and carpet squares for each child, and it helped to defined their space. When we talked about the weather, I did a weather wheel for all of the children to hold onto and we talked about the weather. Then we went to a movement activity and a flannel/magnet board where children were asked to participate (everyone got to do something during circle time), movement activity and then our story…I also did the circle time at the end of our time together so parents could pick up the children when they were still calm and we were all in one place at the end of our 2 hour playgroup.
I love this! Just wanna take a moment to suggest using puppets. When I make a bunny come to life all attention is on me!
I’ve been teaching 2-3’s for 12 years. My circle changes each year to best suit the individual children in my group. I’ve had my current group since September, and our daily circle time has gone from 10 minutes a day to 30 minutes. Our time involves LOTS of songs, one or two books, English, Spanish, and sign language, and a game. On the rare occasion that a child leaves circle, I allow them to move on to a quiet activity until we’re finished. We always sit for circle time immediately after outdoor play because the kids are ready to sit and calm down a bit.
I am 2 year old teacher for 27 years. I love circle time with my little ones. I believe in using many visual and hands on activities. I have many puppets, flannel board stories, and movement songs..Be ready if if a teacher moment takes place in the middle of your circle time. Always be flexible.
Wonderful tips, Patty! Having visuals is so important. Thank you for stopping by!
Routine, routine, routine!
Oh, a must! Thank you for the reminder!
I have had one and two year olds for about 2 years now and I have found that you must use short books with big bright pictures, and YOU as the teacher must come to circle time prepared. You should already have the book(s) ready that you want to read (mine always match the theme for the month). Have your songs memorized and practiced, lots of grand hand movements/big facial expressions. The songs should also reinforce
The theme. You’re basically putting on a show in order to keep their attention. It’s best to do circle time after gross motor activities like outdoor time or dancing.
Very good tips, Elizabeth. Thank you!
Hi Sherryl,
I am Hajera from Bangladesh. Today is the first time I’ve seen your website! It is so wonderful! The articles and video clips are very much helpful. Thank you so very much for sharing.
I am so happy you are here, Hajera! Thank you for the positive feedback!
Ho I am Hana from Egypt.I live in Emirates .I am struggling with my kids .I had tough time because there is a problem in behavior .They 4 years old .They do not understand English .I need your help.your videos are truely perfect.you gave me goid ideas .Thank you .Go on 😍
Hi Hana – You might like to join my free Facebook group and ask them this question. Here’s the link to request an invite: https://www.facebook.com/groups/349498425589921/