We need to talk about circle time

I have been working in education for more than 50 years and have never felt so low.

Two roots of the word “education” are “educare” – to bring up, rear or educate, to train or to mould – and “educere” – to bring out or lead forth.

The latter sees education as preparing a new generation for changes that are to come. When I was a young teacher I thought this meant teachers would help draw-out children’s feelings, their compassion, hopes, fears and joys.

Genuine, vibrant circle times create a weekly space where children and their teachers sit on chairs without any curriculum demands and freely engage as a “family” in its widest sense, i.e. a group of people who support you and in whom you can confide and trust. Circle time is a time when children and staff come together to talk, play games and spend time building these relationships.