Preschool Circle Time: Alphabet Day | Full Year | Sing, Rhyme, Play and Draw!

"Play is one of the most important ways in which young children gain essential knowledge and skills." ~UNICEF, 2018

NOTE: This class pairs with "Preschool Circle Time: Book Day" on Mondays.

Let's have some fun with the English Alphabet! Through singing the "Letter Bus Song," followed by drawing, sharing, and a game, kids will learn to identify and pronounce each letter of the English alphabet and some consonant blends. An optional worksheet will be provided for use in each class. If printing the worksheet is inconvenient, a blank piece of paper is okay!

DAILY SCHEDULE
Note: Class lasts 35 minutes for 3-5 learners; class will end a few minutes earlier for 1-2 learners. 
✔️ HELLO
✔️ WARM-UP
✔️ DAY AND DATE
✔️ LETTER BUS SONG
✔️ COLOR AND DRAW
✔️ GAME
✔️ REWARDS
✔️ SHARING
✔️ GOODBYE
 
TOPICS BY WEEK
(Adjustments may occur due to current events or class needs.) 
End of Section  
→ Week of FEB 4 - Topic: Uu
→ Week of FEB 11 - Topic: Vv
→ Week of FEB 18 - Topic: Ww
→ Week of FEB 25 - Topic: Xx

SKILLS DEVELOPED
> Early Literacy Skills - Phonological awareness, vocabulary, letter identification, phonics, manual dexterity
> Social Skills - Listening, patience, taking turns, empathy
> Cognitive Skills - Problem solving, making choices, positive association with learning

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS SHY OR RELUCTANT?
Listening is learning! Some of my very best learners were too shy to participate at first. It is okay for your child just to listen until they get used to the class. Keep your child in the room where they can hear my voice and give them something for their hands, like paper and crayons or markers. Before long, they will likely hear something that interests them and start participating all on their own.

MODEL THE BEHAVIOR YOU WANT TO SEE
One way to help your child relax is to participate alongside them, just off-camera. Let them see you following the motions, repeating the words, and having a good time.

NOTE ON MUSIC
I strive to provide a welcoming and loving environment for all learners in my class. I research the history and origins of all the songs I use in my classes and don't use any I find to have hidden or harmful messaging, associations, or history. My own original songs are written with diversity, inclusion, and love for all children in mind.

TEACHING METHOD
You'll notice all of my classes are capped at 5 learners — this way I can see all of the learners' screens at all times and they can see each other for maximum group engagement. I also keep the class focused on my face, voice, and physical visual aids, such as magnets, flannel pieces, and books. Studies show kids in their formative years learn best through face-to-face interaction, so I don't use slides or virtual graphics that make my screen small and the other learners disappear. Learning in my class is centered on human-to-human connection, which creates a deeper, more permanent learning experience. Come see for yourself!

NOTE ON INCLUSION
I am an LGBTQ+ND mom and spouse and my classes are safe for all families and learners of all neurotypes.

I make my classes safe for LGBTQ+ families by saying "grown-up" instead of "mom" or "dad." I also don't assume gender based on a learner's name or appearance; I use "they" until their preferred pronouns are specified.

I make my classes safe for neuodivergent (ND) learners by making participation optional. Learners may participate as much or as little as they are comfortable — they will never be pressured to speak, share, or sit still. Movement is encouraged!