The Circle That Opens and Closes

Holding hands in a circle with the teacher, we sing a made-up song: the circle closes into a hug, opens up wide, lets go to wander and comes back together. It builds rhythm and group bonding, and practices letting go and coming back with a song as an anchor.

How to play

1. In a circle holding hands, the teacher teaches the song: "Our circle gets smaller, smaller, smaller, our circle gets bigger, big as can be" (1 min).
2. On "smaller" walk in toward the middle until we're close together; on "bigger" walk backward until arms are stretched (2 min).
3. Add a verse: "Our circle lets go and goes out to play"; let go and wander nearby (2 min).
4. On "Our circle comes back, come back right away!" return and hold hands again (2 min).
5. Sing the whole song again, wandering a little farther each time (2 min).
6. End with the circle closed in a very gentle group hug (1 min).

Rules

• In the circle we hold hands without pulling.
• When the circle gets smaller, we walk slowly so no one gets squished.
• When the song says "come back," we find a free hand.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the circle moves at the child's pace, the child in the wheelchair holds neighbors' hands, and wandering stays close.
• Autism: the child can hold a ribbon or scarf instead of a hand, and the final hug is optional.
• Hearing impairment: the teacher pairs each part of the song with a clear gesture: hands together, arms wide, waving goodbye.

Learning goals

• Move to the rhythm of a song as a group.
• Separate from and return to the group safely.
• Enjoy contact with classmates.

Teacher tip

Sing it slowly and the same way every time. Only do the group hug if the group wants it; for some little ones, "smaller" is plenty.

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