What should we do if we are worried about a child making a disclosure during circle Time?
Q: 1 know that some staff are anxious that Circle Time may lead to children disclosing difficult home issues and, indeed, one teacher came to me for advice on the best way of dealing with a child in her class who had completed the sentence 'I wish' during a round with 'that my dad would stop beating me up'. Even though 1 am a headteacher, 1 wasn't sure of the advice to give.
A: I know that many teachers fear that Circle Time could somehow take the lid off a can of worms. My contention is that If these 'worms' exist, it is better that they are dealt with in a safe, organised forum, rather than being buried and later erupting in playground tittle-tattle. Don't forget that Circle Time has one basic ground rule - that nobody may mention anybody else in a negative way. Children must therefore be encouraged to protect their parents in the same way that they protect their peers, by not saying 'Mum, Dad or my brother,' but rather 'Someone' hit me at home. Some children who feel the hurt strongly, however, way not remember to use that filter and may name someone before they realise it. If this does occur, it is best, whatever the disclosure, not to react in a strong way through facial expression or verbal response and to let Circle Time carry on with its usual structure. Respond as you would to any normal contribution; for example, if something has been said in a round, let the next person speak as usual; if it's a random discussion just say, 'Thank you' in a calm way. Don't forget that you can always remind children during Circle Time that if they ever have anything private they wish to tell you then they can ask for Bubble Time. After the circle session you can offer Bubble Time to any child you are worried about or ask if he would like to write a message in his Think Book.
I would like to reassure you, however, that in my vast experience of Circle Time, it is very rare for any child to disclose a real problem publicly. If occasionally a child does say something to cause you concern it is because he needs to; Circle Time itself does not make it any more likely. That same child would find an opportunity to voice the worry at some time during the day if there were no Circle Time. If a severe problem is worrying a child, it dominates his mind and he is unable to think of anything else; Circle and Bubble Times and Think Books offer safe listening systems.
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