Tag: circle time

The Montessori Silence Game

~ Storykate ~ Leave a comment

Most children are taught how to speak. Very few are taught how to listen.

The ability to listen is an essential skill. Maria Montessori, who developed the game known as “Silence”, understood the need to slow down, to listen carefully, and to pause. She worked with children who had hearing impairments and first used this practice with them. She would stand at the back of the classroom and quietly say the name of one child, then another. When a child heard their name, they were asked to walk towards the teacher. For children who were almost deaf, this was an extremely challenging exercise.

Later, Montessori introduced the Silence game in a classroom of typically developing children. She met a mother with a baby and asked for her help. The mother agreed. Montessori brought the infant into the room and showed the baby to the children.

“Look how calmly the baby is lying,” she said. “Can you stay just as calm?”

To her surprise, the children became quiet almost immediately. She noticed how much they enjoyed playing Silence. From that moment on, Silence became an essential part of the Montessori kindergarten program.

Why is this game valuable for children?

The game develops a child’s listening skills and their linguistic intelligence. It supports self-regulation and calm attention. Children learn to notice and distinguish sounds, to regulate the volume of their own voice, and to practise self-control. When Silence is experienced together, it also creates a shared sense of connection. Montessori believed that the Silence game supported children’s spiritual development.

If you would like to explore Montessori theory and other key educational theories in more depth, you can find them explained clearly in my theory pack here:


https://payhip.com/b/Z9a2T

How to play

Invite the children to sit on the floor. Suggest that they keep still and play a quiet game together. Silence does not need to be enforced; it settles on its own. Explain that when we sit calmly and remain quiet, we can hear things that are impossible to notice when we are shouting or talking.

For example, the sound of cars, leaves rustling, an aeroplane engine, the wind, neighbours’ voices, or a washing machine running.

Stay in silence for one minute. Then, in a whisper, ask the children what they heard. Which sounds caught their attention? Were they loud or quiet? Pleasant or irritating?

5 Props That Transform Circle Time

~ Storykate ~ Leave a comment

Hey educators! Circle time doesn’t need to feel like “sit and listen.” With the right props, it becomes playful, hands-on, and meaningful. Here are five of my favourites that I use and demo often on Storykate YouTube.

1. Felt Balls – rhythm, counting, and calm

Children love the texture and weight of felt balls. They’re perfect for passing games, counting songs, and even simple mindfulness. Watch how I use them in action in my video on Circle Time with Props.

👉 Want ready-to-go ideas? Try my Circle Time Props Bundle with printable games and guides.

2. Scarves – movement and imagination

Scarves bring music alive. Float them like waves, hide behind them for peek-a-boo, or toss them high to practise gross motor skills. I show simple scarf games in this circle time playlist.

3. Puppets – your best co-teacher

A puppet instantly draws every eye in the circle. They’re perfect for storytelling, managing transitions, or introducing tricky topics. My favourite baby wombat puppet makes a regular appearance on Storykate videos.

👉 Looking for inspiration? Check out my course Teaching with puppets

4. Rhythm Sticks – beat and focus

With sticks, children can keep a steady beat, copy patterns, or invent their own music. They’re brilliant for building listening and coordination. I share rhythm stick routines in my music and movement videos.

I tried them with pre-service teachers last month and it was also a big hit!

5. Story Baskets – books that come alive

A story basket filled with objects from the book makes every child lean in. Instead of just listening, they get to hold the story. For ideas, see my video on Story Baskets for Early Learning.

👉 You’ll also find Story Baskets printables in my store, ready to use with your favourite books.

Why props matter

Props aren’t extras – they’re invitations. They make circle time interactive, inclusive, and joyful. When children have something to hold, wave, or share, they’re not just sitting in a group – they’re part of it.

💡 Want more? Head over to my chanenl for practical strategies and demonstrations!

https://www.youtube.com/@Storykate

How the birds got their colours with felt puppets

~ Storykate ~ Leave a comment

The story explains how Australian birds came to have their different colours. It begins with all birds being black and living together peacefully. One day, a dove injures its foot. The other birds help and show kindness — except one, the crow. A small parrot touches the dove’s bleeding foot and magically becomes brightly coloured. One by one, other birds do the same, receiving different colours, while the crow, who refused to help, remains black.

🌱 Why this story is valuable in early childhood education

1. Rich cultural learning

  • It introduces children to Aboriginal perspectives and storytelling traditions — central to understanding Australia’s First Nations cultures.
  • The oral tradition and connection to nature reflect a worldview grounded in respect, interconnection and learning through story.

2. Moral and social messages

  • The story gently explores empathy, kindness and consequences:
    • Helping others brings positive outcomes
    • Exclusion or unkindness can have consequences (the crow stays black)
  • These are key social-emotional learning themes in early childhood.

3. Language and literacy

  • The repetition and simple sentence structure make it accessible for young listeners and early readers.
  • Strong descriptive language (e.g., colour, movement) supports oral storytelling, vocabulary-building, and retelling.
  • Offers rich opportunities for art experiences — children can draw or paint their own colourful birds, or recreate the story through collage or dramatic play.
  • Useful for exploring Australian animals and native birds in science or nature programs.

5. Connection to Country and environment

  • Encourages children to observe and appreciate birds in their own surroundings
  • Opens conversation about respect for nature and living things — aligning with the Early Years Learning Framework outcome of becoming connected with the world

🪶 Suggested prompts for reflection or extension

  • Why do you think the crow stayed black?
  • How did the birds show kindness?
  • What colours would you choose for your bird, and why?
  • Can you think of a time when someone helped you or you helped someone else?

This will help you to support maths learning

~ Storykate ~ Leave a comment

Did you know that large studies across several countries found that mathematics skills, such as knowing numbers, predict later academic success (Pan et al., 2019). Early mathematics scores predicted later mathematical scores and pre-reading, which was surprising.

Zaitsev’s Method for Teaching Mathematics

Nikolai Alexandrovich Zaitsev’s method is a unique approach to teaching children reading, writing, and mathematics. It is most commonly associated with Zaitsev’s cubes, which help children learn to read. He also developed a method for teaching mathematics. I am a certified Zaitsev teacher and have tutored children using this method since 2007.

What is Zaitsev’s Mathematics Teaching Method?

Zaitsev’s method is based on a playful, visual, and intuitive approach. Unlike traditional ways of learning numbers and arithmetic, it helps children grasp mathematics through visual, auditory, and tactile perception. The primary tools include tables, cards, and number games.

Key Principles of the Method

Learning through movement and play

Children do not simply solve problems but actively move, use cards, tables, and even rhythmic exercises.

    A number is not just a symbol. It is a real object.
    For example, a child uses tables to understand addition. Numbers are grouped by place value. This helps instead of just memorising them.

    A table-based approach instead of linear learning
    Instead of learning numbers sequentially, children use number tables (similar to multiplication tables). This helps them see not just individual digits but relationships between numbers.

    Mastering mathematical operations as a whole, not in sequence


    Instead of studying addition first, then subtraction, and later multiplication, children see how these operations are interconnected. For example, they learn multiplication while understanding its link to division.

    Minimal explanations, maximum practice
    Children do not memorize rules but observe patterns and draw their own conclusions through play.

      Main Materials and Tools

      • Zaitsev’s mathematics tables (with numbers, place values, and arithmetic operations).
      • Number cards and cubes with examples.
      • Games and physical exercises to reinforce mathematical concepts.

      Advantages of the Method

      ✅ Learning through play—children stay engaged and remember concepts better.
      ✅ Uses multiple sensory channels—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
      ✅ Helps children grasp complex mathematical relationships intuitively.
      ✅ Suitable for different learning styles and skill levels.

      This method does not necessarily replace traditional approaches. However, it can be a great addition. This is especially true for children who struggle with abstract numbers and rules.

      When circle time is not a failure…

      ~ Storykate ~ Leave a comment


      When I was a new teacher, I struggled with Circle Time. I had a plan, I had stories, but without storytelling props, the children… well, they had other ideas.


      Every time I sat down for Circle Time, it was chaos. Kids would climb on top of me, roll around, poke each other, or just wander off completely. I’d try raising my voice. I’d try clapping patterns. I’d even try those ‘magic’ phrases teachers use like, ‘If you can hear me, touch your nose!’ But nothing worked.

      Not all children are listening during circle time

      I watched other teachers who seemed to run their Circle Time effortlessly. Their children sat in quiet anticipation, engaged, raising their hands to speak. I felt like a failure. Why wasn’t it working for me?


      One afternoon, exhausted and frustrated, I looked at a set of tiny finger puppets I’d bought but never used. And I had an idea. What if these puppets weren’t just props, but part of the game?


      I sat down for Circle Time, held up the puppets, and said: ‘These are very special. Only the best listeners will get a turn to hold them.’ Suddenly, the room went quiet. Eyes locked on the puppets. The same children who had been tumbling over each other minutes before were now sitting perfectly still, waiting.


      I started handing them out—one by one—to children who were sitting and listening. Instead of trying to control the chaos, I had created a reason for them to WANT to pay attention. The puppets became a part of our routine. They were no longer just toys; they were a reward, a privilege, an interactive tool for storytelling.


      By the end of the session, every child had been fully engaged. No climbing, no rolling around, no chaos—just a room full of focused children, eager to take part. And all it took was a handful of finger puppets.


      Since this day, I’ve never run Circle Time without a storytelling prop. Whether it’s puppets, a mystery object, or even just a funny voice, I always make sure there’s something to spark curiosity before we even begin. Because kids don’t need to be ‘managed’—they just need a reason to be captivated.


      If you’ve ever struggled with keeping young children engaged during Circle Time, consider introducing a simple prop. It doesn’t have to be fancy—finger puppets, a stuffed animal, a small wooden figure, or even an object from nature can work wonders. The key is to make it special, something that gives children a reason to focus and participate.

      Children love storytelling, they are sensory learners and they are active learners. Circle Time isn’t about demanding attention—it’s about inviting it. And sometimes, all it takes is a tiny puppet to make all the difference.

      What tricks have you used to keep Circle Time engaging? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear them!