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.

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!