Help with observation on circle time PLEASE!!
 

HI, I'm going to be observed in the nursery on circle time for religion and culture. I was thinking of reading a book maybe to get it started, any ideas on things I can talk about with the children, please. I'm really struggling for ideas, thank you!! x :With love:

why not prompt a discussion about what special days the children celebrate. religion isnt really appropriate is it? culture however is special inclusive and non judgemental. it could lead to a story time on festivals or a role play game acting out a celebration like a birthday or naming ceremoney

How old are the children??? Could you get objects and symbols from various cultures and religions and ask the children if they know what they are??? Or where they come from? One of the children too me by surprise because he recognised the national flag from his mothers home country. We have a set of books about childrens different faiths. They are very simple and are pop up books so the children really enjoy them. Just very simple basic facts. But good talking points.

How about a box of ankle and wrist bell straps for everyone to attach? You could look at dance & how musical anklets are part of many international cultures.

Hand clap, foot tap and jingle?

Indian classical dance - Ghungaroos, Morris dance

The children are 4 years old. Thank you so much for your great ideas!! This will really help xx

When have you got to do it?

As now (and the next 15 days) is a good time to celebrate the Chinese New Year, then onto St Valentine's day, Shrove Tuesday,St David's Day, St Patrick's Day and probably lots of others I haven't mentioned.

As everyone else has mentioned, keep it simple and flowing and possibly start by saying something like

'..... it was my mum's/my son's/my friend's birthday the other day and we had a small celebration with a birthday cake and candles - then explain a celebration is a happy time where you might have a party for your friends or family or it might be a bigger party where people all over the world might celebrate at the same time and at the moment people all over the world are celebrating Chinese New Year.

That's when you can produce some props - pictures and objects and if you have music perhaps you can have do a dragon dance with the children. If you have some time to prepare before your assessor arrives, the children can always make their own dragon masks - simple paper plates (with or without eyes cut) painted or coloured and small strips of crepe paper stuck on. If not, try and find some scarves or strips of crepe paper (red, orange, yellow and gold) for them to use in their dragon dance.

If this celebration has passed, adapt this for other religious/cultural celebrations. I think you have lots of ideas from everyone now and hopefully it will help you to choose.

I am going to be observed in March. Yes there are some really good ideas, i'm really grateful, thank you xx