Circle Time for In-Home ABA
In my last post I talked about how to run circle time with your ABA clients. This is pretty easy to implement in a school or clinic setting, but some behavior analysts get stuck when it comes to how to set up circle time at home. In this post we will explore some creative ways to do circle time in the home.
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Where in should we have circle time?
When planning circle time for in-home ABA, it is important to choose a location that is comfortable and conducive to learning.
Some factors to consider when choosing a location for circle time include:
Space: The space should be large enough to accommodate all of the children and therapists comfortably. There should also be enough space for children to move around and participate in activities.
Lighting: The lighting should be bright enough so that children can see the activities and each other. However, it should not be so bright that it is distracting.
Noise and distraction level: The noise level should be low enough so that the learner can hear the therapist.
Some good locations for circle time in the home include:
The living room: The living room is a large, open space that is often well-lit. It is also a common gathering place for families, so children may be more comfortable in this setting.
A playroom or bedroom: If the home has a playroom, this can be a great place for circle time. The playroom is often equipped with toys and activities that can be used during circle time. The same goes for bedrooms!
How to hang visuals and other materials
Utilize a Cardboard Trifold
A cardboard trifold is a fantastic tool to hang calendars and other visuals during at-home circle time. It provides a simple yet effective way to keep the session organized and engaging for the children. The trifold acts as a portable display board, making it easy to set up and put away when not in use, reducing unnecessary clutter in your home.
Steps to Set Up the Circle Time Trifold
a. Gather Materials
To get started, collect a cardboard trifold, markers or stickers for decoration, and various visual aids. Visual aids can include a calendar, days of the week, a weather spinner, and other relevant learning materials.
b. Decorate the Trifold
Using markers or stickers, pre-cut out images, pom poms, or anything else you want to make the tri fold pretty. Remember, while color is important, the trifold shouldn’t be overly decorated as that can be distracting to learning.
c. Attach the Visual Aids
Using tape or glue, affix the visual aids to the trifold. You can place them on the front or inside, depending on what works best for your circle time setup. You’ll need to add velcro to the calendar and other visuals that require attaching.
Organization of materials and visuals
Use a Plastic Case or Caboodle-Style Box
For a tidy and efficient storage solution, consider using a plastic case or a caboodle-style container. These containers offer multiple compartments that can be labeled to hold different cards, icons, numbers, and other miscellaneous materials used during circle time.
Can I do circle time with only one learner?
Absolutely! Circle time can still be a great ABA activity even if there is only one learner to do it with. You do not need a whole clinic full of children to do cirlce time.
Here are some tips that are specific to having circle time in an in-home ABA setting:
Invite siblings to participate in circle time
Involve the child's parents in the planning and implementation of circle time. This can help to ensure that the activities are relevant to the child's interests and needs, and it can become a part of their home routine if they desire.
Or just run circle time 1:1
In conclusion, implementing circle time in the home environment can be an effective learning and pairing activity for your learners. By using a cardboard trifold to organize visuals and manipulatives, you create a structured and engaging circle time session that isn’t in the way of home routines. The trifold allows for easy setup and storage, reducing clutter in the home while providing valuable learning opportunities for the children.
You can find a link to my favorite circle time materials here.
