Where will we end up if we move in circles?
Actually, the possibilities are endless.

Let’s peek into the WeJoySing classroom, where toddlers are walking on the inside of a circle (seeing the circle formation), holding the hands of their parents and caregivers, who sing: Allee galloo gallee…WHEE! As the circle reverses, little ones squeal in delight.

Our two-to-three year olds are “taking a ride” on the “Old Brass Wagon” with their parents as they: Circle to the right old brass wagon….you’re the one my darlin’!

A highly capable group of fours and fives execute a sophisticated circle game with ease as they joyfully sing: Bow-Wow Wow, Whose Dog art Thou? Little Tommy Tucker’s Dog, Bow-Wow-Wow…Woof! How can children so young change partners and move through the circle with such success? It started long ago with simple circle games. Most of the children in this class (my North Canton 4-5’s class—I am very proud of these children!) have been “moving in circles” from birth—in WeJoySing’s Heart Strings program!

Their comprehension began in infancy, with activities that foster movement exploration. In This Way, Go Willoughby, parents hold their babies and move not only in a circle, but also walk, run, sway, etc. Educational researchers agree that creative movement in early childhood develops creative minds, and traditional circle games have many positive effects on brain development.

Even if there were no other reason than the sheer joy of these games, we would do them. But WHAT’S IN A CIRCLE GAME? Is a game by any other name quite so sweet?

Certainly, participating in these “games” helps children to understand circle activities and get better at them; but the games also help children to understand the concept of “game” itself (appreciating that games have repetition, rules, a code of conduct, etc.) Are there other benefits that reach beyond the circle?

Cognitive Benefits

Circle games “benefit cognitive development, creativity, language development, motor skills, and of course, music skills.”1 They also help children to develop coordination and rhythm while singing and moving concurrently in a way that feels natural.

Moving in a circle, especially to a song, provides opportunities to “act out” what is being sung, teaching language/directional concepts like right, left, up, down and positional words like “into” and “out from” (into the center/Old Brass Wagon, out from the center/Old Brass Wagon…)

Geography: Your Child's Favorite Subject?

According to a report published by the U.S. Department of Education (Fromboluti and Seefeldt, 1999) a child’s first concepts of geography begin with an understanding of “location.”2 To understand location, children must physically experience themselves in space, getting a feel for body awareness, the size of the room, etc.

Understanding positional words lays the foundations required for eventually reading a map. Furthermore, knowing ways that people move is important as we understand different places. What’s one of the best ways to help children understand these concepts? The Department of Education report states that SIMPLE CIRCLE GAMES develop cognition and lay excellent foundations for an understanding of geography3 and recommends “Sally Go Round the Sun” and “The Hokey Pokey.” (which can be found with other great circle games in the WeJoySing Repertoire!)

Social Studies
Cultural Connections

Wanting a ten year old’s perspective on Circle Games, I asked my daughter: “What are some benefits?” I expected an answer about how much fun they are, but she said--ever-so-matter-of factly-- “They teach kids about working cooperatively…” So true! Her answer shouldn’t have surprised me. After all, she was a WeJoySing Baby!

Circle games give children a “picture” of what cooperation looks and feels like, while also promoting social interaction. At WeJoySing, this interaction happens as the parent joyfully guides and nurtures the child’s ability to successfully move independent in a social “circle” setting.

This leads to the greatest benefit of all: when we participate and cultivate an awareness of traditional folk songs and games, we not only develop personal and emotional connections with our children, we also connect to our past and to our national heritage.

So, go ‘round in circles. Let us know where you end up! It’s sure to be somewhere fun!

A Note from Mrs. Jo
The delight of the shared circle game is intoxicating. Participants always want MORE. “Do it again Mommy! More Mommy! More!” So, up we get and do it again and again! Giggles, laughter, hugs, play, and learning are all shared as we “move in circles!” Hmmm, moving in circles does have amazing benefits. So, come and JOIN OUR CIRCLE…You’ll want more, I promise!

Notes:

1. Promotional information for “The Book of Beginning Circle Games: Let’s Make a Circle,” by John Feierabend, available at www.giamusic.com.

2-3. Fromboluti, Carol Sue and Carol Seefeldt, Early Childhood, Where Learning Begins: Geography with Activities for Children 2-5 years of age. U.S. Department of Education, 1999, archived at www.ed.gov/PDFDocs/geography.pdf