A provocation about circle time

Adapted from the Reggio listserv:

I just returned from the NAEYC's annual conference in D.C. It was great. Very informative.

At one workshop, there was talk about eliminating circle time from the schedule.

Group instruction is not the best way to teach children. A teacher can never be assured that every child is picking up on what the teacher is presenting. Some might be nodding, especially dual-language learners, copying the other children to get by. Attention span is short for young children. Even when circle time is engaging, physical, entertaining, etc., children's attention will be drawn to their own interests. Only the most comfortable of children participate, especially if you have a class of 17 or more. Playtime and individual instruction is cut short. What can be done in circle time, can be done during play, and it's better because children learn better when they're active. But what struck me most is that children don't choose to go to circle, in many classrooms, it has to be done, not buts about it.

I understand why circle time would not be such a good approach, but I have seen some teachers do some incredible circle times. The activity welcomes children, they talk about what has happened at home, what they will work on during the day, it helps with transitions and routines, etc. I also like that circle time brings children together as a community.

... I struggle with circle time, not in the sense that I can't keep the children engaged, but that it does not fit the values I hold for young children. I want children to come of their own accord to group activities. If I start playing the guitar, or present interesting material and activities, or begin to tell a story, the children gravitate naturally, and when they no longer have interest, they leave when they're ready to, not when I tell them. But these activities happen throughout the day, not at a specific time, and can last a little or long time. But when you're mandated to do circle time at a specific time and then move on, I find it jarring for the children.

I'm wondering what you think about this...