Circle time : A study of how adults in the preschool staff reason about circle time and its purpose

The purpose of this study was to analyse how adults in preschool staff reason about circle time and its purpose as well as children’s participation and planning. The study was conducted as qualitative interviews with four adults in preschool staff. Results from the study show that the planning of the circle time is the responsibility of every adult in preschool staff and demands a grounded and a thoughtful view. The adult in preschool staff also claim that is important to have the children active and included in circle time and that they should be in focus. There are three main reasons why adult in preschool staff decide to have circle time with the children. There are reasons to encourage language, social and emotional development. The literature, however, takes up the collection's purpose is more about providing security, community and school preparation. The biggest reason they also point out the affirmation of the children. Both adult in preschool staff and literature speaks of confirmation and community but the adult in preschool staff does not speak about school preparatory activity that reason that they have set. The study also showed that there are ready-made materials for different kinds of circle time. Children's participation is something that should be the focus of the circle time, but the adult in preschool staff use too often and easy the ready materials instead