Greeting time: an interactive time of day between a teacher and children where children develop symbolic reasoning skills, practice literacy and number recognition, learn of any changes to the schedule and new materials added to the room, and process any class social problems.

Small Group Time: a few children and a teacher gather together for a teacher-initiated, hands-on learning experience. These mini-lessons are designed to strengthen the child’s self-awareness, creativity, fine motor, cognitive, problem solving, and critical thinking abilities.

Planning Time: a time where the children create a mental picture of what they want to play with, what questions they want to answer, who they will work with, what materials they need, and more. Planning before playing ensures a more productive and learning-oriented work time.

Work Time: children turn an idea into reality through play. Play is the work of children, hence the name “work time.” They choose what they want to work on, encounter real-world problems, solve them, work socially with peers and teachers, and learn by becoming totally engaged in their work (play). The children exercise control over how they spend their time and develop confidence in their ability to make choices. Teachers support children in their play.

Recall Time: a time where small groups of children work with a teacher to remember what they planned to do, what they did, what problems they encountered and solved, and what further questions they have to answer next time.

Circle Time: a time where all of the children gather for a story, action songs, gross motor activities, cooperative games, movement activities, projects, and more. They are planned learning experiences that are teacher-initiated, but allow children to influence what happens.