Reflections on Quality Circle Time by Jean Gross, former Director of SEAL.
Mon, Nov 19th 2007
Foreword for Step by Step
We all have our own ‘light bulb’ moments in our career as educators. For me such a moment was when I began to understand that there are three very different reasons for children not behaving as we want them to. One reason may be that they have not yet learned the skills that underpin positive and pro-social behaviour. Another may be that they have the skills but are not choosing to use them – because alternative choices offer them bigger pay-offs. A third reason may be that although they have the skills, and although the incentives to use those skills are in place, they are simply too hurt and distressed to make wise choices.
Quality Circle Time was another light-bulb moment for me. It seemed a magic way of addressing all three of the reasons for behaviour difficulties. The framework of golden rules and golden time provides the motivation. Circle sessions provide the teaching of the skills children need in order to manage their feelings, develop empathy, and make and keep friends. The sessions also provide the kind of nurturing environment that reduces children’s distress and hurt by enabling them to share it with others and receive support.
That is why circle time is important in the government’s approach to the social and emotional aspects of learning materials (SEAL), on which I was privileged to work. More and more teachers are using circle time routinely in their classrooms, and looking for guidance and support in how to use it well.
This book provides that guidance. It explains the benefits of circle time and takes us through the immensely helpful structure of meeting up, warming up, opening up, cheering up and calming down. It provides just enough worked examples, helpfully grouped under the SEAL themes, to give confidence to a practitioner new to circle time. It then leads the practitioner into the next, less scripted steps where children explore the issues that are relevant to them as a group and as individuals.
The ideas in this book are practical and realistic. They acknowledge that some circle times can feel flat or go wrong. They help us get over those humps and become ever more confident in our practice.
Enjoy the ideas…. look out for the ‘Bag of Power’ – and have fun with the children you teach.
Jean Gross
Jean was formerly responsible for the Primary National Strategy’s work on behaviour and inclusion. She now directs the Every Child a Reader initiative
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