Morning Circle Time - Preschool Morning Activities to Start Your Day Off Right
Kate Kwijas | July 20, 2021
What is a morning circle or morning basket? And what does it look like at home? Whether you have young children at home or you are homeschooling, a Morning Circle or Morning Basket can provide a calming and predictable routine to help start your day. It is a time that you set aside each day to intentionally be, learn together and begin the day. But what is it? A Morning Circle, or Circle Time, is utilised in one form or another in almost every educational setting. Each philosophy has their own unique approach and name for this daily event, however, one thing remains the same throughout; the overarching idea that this is a time to come together and acknowledge each other and the new day.
A Morning Circle also provides an opportunity to naturally review concepts such as the calendar, time and weather. Many use it to investigate children’s current interests, often through reading and careful collection of appropriate resources. You could also use this time to focus upon values and mindfulness. The beauty of a Morning Circle is that you can tailor it to suit your family and it is fluid; it can and will evolve with you and your children as the weeks and months pass.
Where should I set up a Morning Circle?
You might sit in your lounge room or set up a dedicated area. It really is up to you and will develop as you find what works best for your family. If beginning a Morning Circle seems overwhelming, why not start with a Morning Basket? Select a topic that your little learners are asking questions about and gather resources. Would you like to focus upon emotional intelligence or mindfulness? If so, you could include some yoga cards, a relevant book or a game. Do you have a teaching clock or a calendar? You could include these in your basket too. Sit down together each morning and go through your basket. You’ll quickly find what works and what doesn’t for your family. A basket can also be more portable for those who like to move around the house.
What do you do as part of Morning Circle Time?
No two Morning Circles will be the same and what works for one family, won’t necessarily work for another. Before beginning, find a quiet time to sit and think about what you want to achieve in your morning circle. How will you start the circle? What is your focus? What are your children interested in at the moment? What materials do you already have? What might you need to achieve your goals?
Goldon Natural Xylophone
1. Start with a song
Generally, Morning Ccircles begin with a 'Good Morning' song; there are so many to choose from. Make eye contact, hold hands or tap the beat. You could also introduce simple instruments here; for example, egg shakers, claves, triangles, tambourines, small drums, maracas or xylophones. Goldon create professional-grade musical instruments for children. You might also like to light a candle when singing your Good Morning song to mark the beginning of the day. Graupner have a beautiful range of captivating candle holders.
Here you are focusing upon the musical concepts of rhythm and beat as well as connection.
2. Reset your calendar
You might like to sing a 'Days of the Week' or 'Months of the Year' song. What season is it? If you use a daily routine chart, here is the ideal time to discuss what you will be doing today. The Treasures from Jennifer, Waldorf Family and Grapat perpetual calendars provide an ideal way to clearly display this concept.
Here you are focusing upon the mathematical concepts of time and sequencing.
Waldorf Family Southern Hemisphere Perpetual Calendar
Observing the weather using the Grimm's Weather Set
3. Look outside and discuss the weather
Set your weather chart. What clothes will you need to wear today as you go about your day? The Treasures From Jennifer Weather Chart is perfect to use here. Waldorf Family also make a beautiful Weather Observation Wheel that would work well. This is the perfect opportunity to share a book together about the weather or the seasons.
Here you are focusing upon science and the concept of the weather and seasons.
Don't have a weather chart? Why not create your own!
We have included a template for you to create your own weather chart. All you will need are scissors, a split pin and some paints or coloured pencils. We recommend printing the template on cardboard.
Create your own weather chart at home with our FREE template
Waldorf Family Teaching Clock
4. Practice reading the clock
Set the clock to a different time each day and read it together. Take turns setting and reading the clock. A teaching clock is a fabulous addition to any home with young children and the Treasures from Jennifer or Waldorf Family teaching clocks are of excellent quality. However, if you don’t have the budget, you could also easily make your own which would work well. If you do so, why not involve your little learner in creating the clock?
Here you are focusing upon the mathematical concept of time.
5. Learn a poem
Memory work has amazing benefits. Begin with the aim to learn a poem each month; you can then adapt this as required. We have included a blank version of The Weather by Margret Meyerkort that you can decorate with your little learner. The Stockmar Wax Crayons and Watercolour paints work beautifully here, but so would other art materials. Short poems for each season are easy to find online and are a fabulous addition to your morning circle or basket.
Here you are focusing upon memory work and oral language.
Download and decorate a poem about The Weather
Family Read-Aloud
6. Begin a Family Read-Aloud and enjoy it every morning together
You might even like to go one step further and create a family book club with simple activities for the book when you complete it. If you’re learning another language, you could read a book in that language. This is also an excellent opportunity to use your Ostheimer, Predan, Bajo, Grapat, Clicques and other figurines to enhance your storytelling and reading.
Here you are focusing upon literacy skills through a shared reading experience.
7. Explore your Little Learners' current interests with a Morning Basket
Gather books and resources focused around your little learner’s current interests and explore these together. You can see our morning basket filled with weather resources. We’ve included a variety of weather books, Grapat Rain Drops, the Grimm's Weather Set, Treasures from Jennifer Weather Chart, Waldorf Family Perpetual Calendar, Grimm's Small and Medium Rainbow. Invite your little learner to explore the basket and select a book to read or a resource/toy to explore.
Here you are focusing upon science and humanities as well as the skill of gathering and interpreting information.
Here is what's in our Morning Basket
Once you are done, blow out your candle. Get a drink of water or snack and move towards the rest of your day! You could spend as little as five minutes in your morning circle or as much time as your little learner is engaged. Each day and each circle will be unique. A morning circle is a wonderful time spent with your child, designed to engage and focus them for a new day of learning through play and exploration.
