The Calm Classroom Weekly
Subject: Does Every Child Need to Sit Still During Group Time?
Today I assisted a teacher during circle time.
As we began, I noticed that some children were sitting differently from the way the teacher expected.
One child was moving around a little.
Another was touching the carpet.
Another changed positions several times.
But they weren't bothering anyone.
They were still listening. They were still participating. They were still part of the group.
And it made me think:
Do we really need every child to sit the same way?
Young children aren't always going to sit perfectly still for an extended period of time.
Some children need to move.
Some need to change positions.
Some listen better when their hands are busy.
That doesn't automatically mean they're not paying attention.
Sometimes we put so much focus on how a child is sitting that we miss the fact that they're actually engaged in the experience.
What If We Focused on What Matters?
Instead of noticing every little movement, ask:
āIs this child disrupting the group?ā
If the answer is no, maybe we don't need to correct it.
The goal of group time isn't to teach children how to sit perfectly still.
The goal is for children to participate, listen, connect, and learn.
Try This This Week
During your next group time, choose one child who tends to move around.
Instead of watching what they're doing with their body, watch for something else:
Are they listening?
Are they participating?
Are they learning?
You might discover that sitting still isn't the same thing as paying attention.
Sometimes, we need to stop noticing every little thing and start noticing what really matters.
Cheering you on,
Luann
