

Circle time re-imagined
What if there was no circle time?
It just went away, puff!
- No mandatory time to sit and recite, chant and listen to an adult tell the children something they want to talk about?
- What if there was a collaboration table that whoever wants to talk about something could sit around it and talk?
- What if the children led the talking?
- What if children could bring in something that means something to them and talk about it, maybe the whole class could research it and ask questions, then find answers?
- What if the children took their own attendance when they entered the room?
One thing that I have noticed is that children all seem to join in and are engaged in show and tell days. I believe this is because they are in charge of the topic and want to listen and share.

What if the children took their own attendance when they entered the room?
What if they chose their own breakfast off a tray and sat down at a chair they chose and ate something from a tray with several choices?
What if they chose what they would like to do from a provocation that was prepared based on their interests each day?
What if there were no assigned seating and children had the ability to sit where they choose and even move the furniture around if they choose?
What if they chose to build in the construction area AND they could keep their building up and continue it when they came back to the area? AND they had the option of using some scarves in their building that were taken from the dramatic play area? GASP!

How do you become the best teacher you can be?
What if you could do more than imagine?
What if this could become a reality?
What if the children were seen just as they are as capable beings with choices and were empowered to interact in their space?
What if you didn't have to imagine?
What if this could become a reality?
I wonder if there might be a different way to do some things?
What are you thinking?

written by
Christine Burkholder
Christine Burkholder began her journey in the Early childhood field with a degree from Kent State University. She has been a Teacher, Director, District Manager and Entrepreneur in the Early Childhood setting.
Christine is a trainer, guest lecturer, has taught at the University level and she has co authored several articles and soon to be published book on environments. Recently she sold her business of 29 years where she was the founder and CEO of Kids Country Day Schools in Ohio, a group of Reggio Inspired Schools with six locations and over 1100 students.
Currently, she is the CEO of DEGI; Designing Environments for Growth and Inspiration for Early Childhood settings. She believes that offering the joy of learning in everyday moments to children through creating magical environments is the greatest way to honor children.