Top 5 large group time activities
Group time is a great way for children to learn together and to learn from one another through scaffolding, however when faced with a large group of children group time can sometimes be daunting and difficult to manage.
Managing a large group time session
When planning group time activities try to have a goal in mind for the session and remember that children can’t sit still and concentrate for as long as we can.
- Rules – When starting a large group time session always begin by reminding the children of the rules you would like to see, such as good sitting and good listening. It is always useful to reinforce these rules with picture cards or makaton signing.
- Do a jiggle – Children can get very fidgety if they have been sat for a while so to try and ease this encourage the children to stand in a circle and do a little jiggle, wiggling and shaking all parts of their bodies before they sit down ready for the group time activity.
- A prop/puppet – Children can find it difficult if the activity involves turn taking so to aid this try using a prop or puppet to pass around the group and whoever is holding the object is the one whose turn it is to complete the activity or talk. A ball can be fun to roll around the circle to various children rather than just passing a teddy.
- Make it exciting – Wherever possible engage the children’s sense of magic, whether this be through telling a short story to set the scene for the activity or using fairy magic it’s a great way to get the children excited, listening and ready to actively participate and learn during the session.
The activities
1. Parachute games – Group time doesn’t have to be about sitting down in a large circle taking it in turns to complete an activity it can be fun to learn through movement. These are great for encouraging motor skills, turn taking, speaking and listening, numbers, colours and a variety of other things based on the game that is being played.
2. Singing – Something all children can engage in even if they don’t have the speech skills needed. Use musical instruments, props, makaton, picture cards and actions to keep it engaging for all types of learners.
3. Story Sacks – These are useful for keeping children engaged and adding meaning to the stories. When telling stories try to use lots of a funny voices and keep a bouncy tempo. Children can get bored very quickly if the story is very monotone regardless of how many children or props there are for the group.
4. Ring games – Such as farmers den. A great way for all children to be involved and not too much sitting around and listening which is great for a large group
5. Story tray – For example 3 little pigs, place pig toys, hay, stones (bricks), sticks and wolf into a builders tray. Talk about the story and investigate all the difference aspects. This can be done with a larger group or create two different story trays so children can swap in between each one giving both adult and child initiated play if the adult stays based at one tray.