Materials
None
Instructions
Purpose: To provide a variety of ways to break up cliques, mix boys and girls,
move children closer to the teacher, and stop inappropriate behavior and
talking at circle time without singling out individual children.
Methods:
1. Ask children to sit on mats or chairs at circle time. Call out two names and
have those children switch places. Call out two more names and continue
until all the children are mixed up!
2. Place name cards on the tables and ask children to find their names to find
their seats. When first names become easy, use last names or initials.
3. Place numerals on the tables. Give out cars with dots or stickers for the
children to count and then find the corresponding number to find their seat.
4. Give out numerals or letters to match the ones put out on the tables. Give
uppercase letters to match with lowercase letters.
5. Place objects on the table at each seat and give each child a letter. The child
must find the object that starts with the letter.
6. Whisper a color in each child's ear as he enters and have him go to the table
with that color on it. As an alternative, give out colored tickets.
7. Label the tables with categories and give out pictures that fit into those
categories. Children find the category and sit there. For example, two-legged,
four-legged, and swimming dinosaurs, or things that start with the letters of
the month.
8. To mix up children during playtime in order to help them make new friends
and learn cooperation, start by getting large paint sample chips, three of each
color. Punch holes at the tops of each one. Hang hooks on the back of each
section of the toy shelf and hang one different color chip in each section. As
children arrive, give out color chips so that two children get matching colors.
They go to the shelf, hang up their chip with the matching one, and get the
toy from that section of the shelf. They play with the toy with their matching
color partner. When they are done, they put it back and may have free
choice time.
