What can I do when children don't tell the truth in Circle Time?
Q: Occasionally in Circle Time children say things which I know are not true. Sometimes they'll invent a problem or a story about an event.
A: The important thing is not to be tempted into an immediate rebuttal or public interrogation of the child. After all, the rule of Circle Time is that every contribution is accepted respectfully and this rule must not be broken because you suspect the truth to be different. When I am demonstrating Circle-Time methods in teachers' classrooms it often infuriates the class teacher to hear a child making something up. I explain afterwards in the debriefing session that I have quietly noted the fantastic story to be a flag of a child needing attention and it often helps to think of a child to be attention ‘needing' rather than attention 'seeking'.
As a class teacher you are in a strong position to make this observation and resolve to address the child's need for attention another time, but at the time calmly listen to his contribution yet give the larger focus of attention to a legitimate concern or query from another child. Don't forget, you can always ask a child later if he would like Bubble Time, where it is possible to discuss sensitive issues such as truthfulness quietly.
Tell a friend
Enter yours and a friends name to send them this page.
