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. 

Goldon Natural Xylophone

1. Start with a song

Generally, Morning Circles 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. Check out our 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. We have a beautiful range of candles and 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. https://www.oskarswoodenark.com.au/collections/daily-rhythm?filter.p.product_type=Calendars provide an ideal way to clearly display this concept.

Here you are focusing upon the mathematical concepts of time and sequencing. 

Wided 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.  Wilded 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.

Daily Rhythm Wooden Resources

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 Wilded 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 Wooden Animals & 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, the Grimm's Weather Set, Treasures from Jennifer Weather Chart, Wilded 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