< back to welcome page 1 Recruitment 2 Eligibility 3 Selection 4 Enrollment 5 Receiving (or Providing) Services

5.1Screening & Compliance Requirements

5.2Center/Classroom Startup Planning

5.3Classroom Engagement

5.4Ongoing Assessment

5.5Family Engagement

5.6Weekly Home Visits

5.7Home-based Socials

5.8Overview of State Programs

5.9Reporting

5.10Prenatal Services

5.11School Readiness Goals

5.12Internal Monitoring

5.13Food Service

6 Transition 7 Admin/Operations 8 ChildPlus 9 Learning Paths

5.3.18


Large Group Time

Large group time is designed to meet specific instructional goals such as:

  • Build a sense of community and help children understand that they are a valued part of the group
  • Introduce the plan for the day
  • Introduce a new concept or material
  • Encourage conversation and the sharing of ideas
  • Extend children’s thinking
  • Focus observation
  • Large Group time may also be referred to as “Circle Time”.

Large Group Time allows children to:

  • Practice communication skills
  • Express thoughts, ideas and feelings
  • Share the work they have been doing
  • Talk about topics of interest
  • Solve problems that affect the whole group

Large Group Time:

  • Involves the whole class/entire group
  • Occurs 1-2 times per day – morning and again at the end of the day
  • Lasts 10-20 minutes, depending on age of the children and their interest

To ensure successful Large Group Time:

  • Be prepared – have materials ready prior to starting Large Group Time
  • Define space well – ensure there is adequate space for all children, free from distractions
  • Include additional teaching staff for support
  • Keep it short to hold interest – between 10-20 minutes
  • Start group time in a similar way – sing a song
  • For toddler (EHS) Large Group Time:
    • Children need to have alternative activities to choose from
    • Duration would be 3-5 minutes

Applies to Preschool (EHS)

  • For EHS – may choose to use Large Group Time with toddlers/children over age 2, but it is not required.

Examples:

  • Read a story before nap time
  • Discuss plans for the next activity
  • Solve a problem that occurred during choice time (free time)
  • Welcome a special visitor

References

  • Creative Curriculum for Preschool – Volume 1: Foundations
    • See Large Group – pages 73-74
    • See Daily Schedule – pages 81-88
    • Supporting Learning through small and large groups – pages 172-178
  • ECERS and All About ECERS book
    • See Item 36: Group Time
  • ITERS and All about ITERS book
    • See Item 31: Group Play Activities
  • Simple Transitions for Infants and Toddlers
    • See Circle Time – page 95