Homeschool preschool circle time is a simple yet powerful way to get a positive start to learning at home. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more joy, connection, and consistency to your homeschool preschool mornings, I’ve got just the thing for you!
Circle time (also known as homeschool morning basket) was my absolute favorite way to start the day with my little learners. It’s a beautiful way to create rhythm and spark learning in a relaxed and meaningful way -even if you’re homeschooling just one preschooler at home. Yes, you can totally do circle time with just one kid and make it fun!
I’m sharing my real-life experiences as a homeschool mom of five boys (who each had their own unique learning styles and energy levels!). I’ll walk you through what preschool at home circle time can look like, why it’s so helpful, and how it boosts early learning skills for academics, listening, social-emotional growth, and more. I’ll also show you how we used a DIY Preschool Power Board to make our circle time simple, flexible, and full of fun – and why it could be just the perfect visual tool for you , too.
Find tips, ideas, and encouragement to help you get started plus a free printable pack so you can create your own DIY Preschool Power Board.
Our Homeschool Preschool Circle Time Story
How a simple board became one of our favorite parts of the day!
When I think back to our early homeschool days, circle time holds such a special place in my heart. It’s something I used with all five of my boys over the year. I was searching for a way to boost our relaxed routine for our homeschool preschool mornings – something fun, simple, and effective for introducing new concepts, practicing important skills, and sticking with our weekly themes.
That’s when I created our very first Preschool Power Board. It started as a budget-friendly trifold display that I turned into a visual tool for our circle time. The boys knew when the board came out, it was time for learning fun. We’d gather on the floor and look at the day’s cards. From there, I’d teach the boys the different concepts (like our Letter of the Week). We’ enjoyed songs and skill-building activities together. It was playful, it was focused (which felt like a miracle at the time) – and best of all, it worked.
Our Preschool Power Board helped us build consistency without stress or pressure. We covered the alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, weather, and more. I also used the time to talk about growth mindset, practice affirmations, and build conversation skills with Question of the Day. I had to weave in some of my mental health therapist stuff!
Those homeschool preschool circle time experiences became a foundation that helped my boys not only thrive in preschool at home but carry those strong starts into our homeschool adventures year after year.
Looking back, I truly believe that our circle time (and our Preschool Power Board) was one of the best tools I ever used in our homeschool. And now, I’m so excited to help you enjoy that same experience, too.
What Is a Preschool Power Board?
A Preschool Power Board is a simple, visual tool that helps you organize and guide your homeschool preschool circle time in a fun, engaging, and consistent way. I like to think of it as a framework where you have everything you need to kick off the day all in one place!
I’ve made it several different ways, using poster board and even a wall. I found that a trifold display board worked the best for our family. I used different sections (or “quadrants”) for daily and weekly focus areas like:
- Daily Basics – things like calendar, weather, and feelings
- Learning Focus – this section was for our weekly themes and letter, number, shape, and color
- Songs & Rhymes – fun and familiar preschool songs to get moving and singing
- Brain Boosts – growth mindset prompts, daily questions, and preschool affirmations
This board is used as a visual cue (and reminder) to guide your preschooler and you. And the best part? It’s totally customizable to your goals. Whether you like to follow a theme, rotate activities, or keep things super simple, the Power Board works for you.
It’s also fantastic if you’re short on time, space, or budget. You don’t need a big room or fancy tools. You just need a few basic supplies (that I either had or bought at a dollar store) and a little space to gather together. I found the trifold a great fit for us because I could easily fold it up and tuck it behind a bookcase.
In our homeschool, the Preschool Power Board and our circle time was more than just a routine – it was a memory-maker. The songs, the laughs, the lightbulb moments? My boys and I still chat about some of those precious moments. And now I’m excited to help you make one, too!
How a Power Board Boosts Homeschool Preschool Circle Time
If you’ve ever wondered “Is circle time really possible at home?”, I totally get it. My idea of circle time was gathering a group of kids around the same age and singing songs.
But, the totally cool thing is that preschool at home circle time can really be whatever you make it. It doesn’t have to follow a certain rule or idea. And if that circle is made with only your child and you holding hands as you sit on the floor…well, that’s a beautiful thing to me!
Here are just a few of the amazing benefits we experienced from our circle times:
- Consistency: Your preschooler (and you) knows what to expect. This works even if you can’t start at the same time every day. I know how chaotic life can be, especially if you’re homeschooling multiple ages or have infants and toddlers.
- Boosts Early Learning Skills: Teach and reinforce important concepts like letters, numbers, colors, shapes, days of the week, and more—without needing a big curriculum.
- Builds Language and Communication: Songs, rhymes, and questions provide opportunities for developing listening, speaking, and vocabulary skills. I found this benefit to be extremely helpful for my youngest who had 4 older brothers always talking for him. I had some concerns about his speech development but it quickly improved. When we had our preschool circle time, he got one-on-one time and my full attention.
- Encourages Focus and Self-Regulation: The visual structure helps your preschooler practice sitting, taking turns, and even following simple routines. And I think I was the one who benefited the most from the focus part of it!
- Strengthens Connection: You’re not just teaching your child. You’re spending time while making eye contact, talking, laughing, and more.
- Promotes a Growth Mindset and Confidence: If you choose to include things like affirmations and growth mindset concepts, your preschooler can really benefit from these skills now and in the future.
Whether you use your Preschool Power Board for 10 minutes or 30, your circle time can be an awesome part of your day that fills your child’s cup and sets a positive tone for learning.
How to Make a DIY Preschool Power Board for Circle Time
Now that you know what a Preschool Power Board is and why it’s such a powerful tool for your homeschool preschool routine, let’s chat about how to actually make one!
Don’t worry – you don’t need a bunch of time, money, or crafty skills. This project is super beginner-friendly and totally customizable.
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies – You’ll need:
- A trifold display board or poster board (whatever size works for your space)
- Clear contact paper (optional but helpful for durability and sticking)
- Sticky tack, Velcro dots, or washi tape (double-sided tape works well, too)
- Scissors
- Cardstock and/or index cards
- Envelopes, sandwich bags, or plastic pockets (for storing extra cards)
💡Tip: I’ve included a full supplies list in the freebie pack to make this even easier!
Trifold Poster Board 362 Pack Small Trifold Poster Board 26Olivo Clear Contact Paper Roll for Books Crafts 17.5 in x 10 ft Peel and Stick Adhesive Book Cover Plastic ProtectorGorilla Tack 56g (84 Pre Cut Squares)Self Adhesive Dots, Strong Adhesive 1000pcs(500 Pairs) 0.59FINDMAG 240 Pcs Round Magnets with Adhesive Backing, Flexible Magnetic Tape Dots, Self Adhesive Magnet Strips for Crafts, Whiteboard, School, Home, Hanging & Organizing Light ObjectsNeenah White Index Paper, Mediumweight, 300 Sheets, 199 gsm, 94 Brightness, 8.5
Step 2: Choose Your Layout – I like to sketch out my board prior to making. I divide the board into four main quadrants:
- Daily Basics – calendar, weather, how I feel today (emotions)
- Learning Focus – letter of the week, number, shape, color, theme
- Songs & Rhymes – titles of preschool songs
- Brain Boosts – Question of the Day (conversation starters), growth mindset concepts, and preschool affirmations
You can use labels, borders (washi tape works great!), or color-code your sections for a fun, organized look.
Step 3: Print and Prep Your Pieces
Print out your cards and visuals. If you’re writing out your cards by hand, do that in this step. Then, cut and prep your cards. Laminate for extra durability or use page protectors if that’s easier. If you’re using a trifold board, attach envelopes or pockets on the back or side flaps to store extra pieces!
💡 I used a plastic shoebox size container with labeled envelopes to organize and store the cards. Also, I use washi tape to differentiate the cards by quadrant.
Step 4: Attach to Your Board
Stick your pieces in place using your chosen method (sticky tack, Velcro, etc.) so they’re easy to swap out. Keep things flexible dp you can rotate materials weekly, monthly, or seasonally.
Step 5: Make It Part of Your Routine
Now that your board is ready, choose a time of day that works best for your family. I found that morning (after breakfast) worked best for most of my preschoolers (except one who like early afternoon – he’s still a night owl!). Keep it light, fun, and low-pressure. Your preschooler and you will quickly start looking forward to Preschool Power Board time!
Tips for Using Your Preschool Power Board
Once you’re ready to start, you might be wondering, “Now what?”
I completely understand. Starting something new can feel a bit overwhelming. Remind yourself that this part is all about keeping things simple, fun, and flexible. There is no right or wrong!
Here are my best tips (from years of real-life homeschool preschool experience with five busy boys!) to help you make the most of your homeschool preschool circle time using a power board:
Keep it Short + Sweet
Preschoolers thrive on short bursts of learning. Circle time doesn’t need to be long. In fact,10 to 15 minutes is more than enough to make an impact. Watch your child’s energy and attention levels and follow their lead.
Pick a Time That Works for You
While morning is a great time to use your board, don’t stress if it doesn’t happen first thing. After snack? Before quiet time? Go with what works for your preschooler and your overall schedule.
Add Music and Movement
Include action songs (like “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”), finger plays, or silly dances to help get the wiggles out and make learning stick. Music boosts memory and engagement, especially with early learners.
Rotate and Refresh
Swap out cards daily or weekly. This step keeps your child curious and excited about what’s coming next.
Use Props or Visuals When You Can
Bring in a favorite stuffed animal as your “circle time buddy”. We had all sorts of friends join our learning fun! Use a small pointer to show where you are on the board. Add hands-on items related to your current theme.
Be Flexible and Have Fun
If something’s not working, it’s okay to change it! Your Power Board is a tool, not a rule. Keep things relaxed and positive. Some days you’ll do it all, some days it might just be a song and a question – and that’s perfectly okay.
Get Your Free DIY Preschool Power Board Starter Pack
Want to jump in and give this whole Preschool Power Board thing a try? High five!
To help you get started with circle time at home (without spending hours figuring it all out), I created a free DIY Preschool Power Board Starter Pack. This printable set helps you plan out building your own Power Board.
Here’s what’s included:
- A simple, visual layout template to guide your board setup
- A helpful “How to Get Started” checklist so you don’t miss a step
- A colorful supplies list with budget-friendly options
Get your FREE DIY Preschool Power Board Set now!
If you’re loving the idea of using a power board for circle time but feel like “I just want it all ready to go!” – I hear you, friend.
That’s exactly why I created the Preschool Power Board Kit! This printable kit takes the guesswork out of building your board and gives you a beautiful collection of visual cards and tools for making your own board.
With printable cards and page layouts for each section (Daily Basics, Learning Focus, Morning Songs & Rhymes, and Brain Boosts), you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips. Just print, set up, and start enjoying your homeschool preschool time!
Learn more about Preschool Power Board Kit now!
Whether you make your own preschool power board or not, I’m cheering you on every step of the way. You can make preschool at home fun, simple, and special. You’ve totally got this!
Oh, and I’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions about homeschool preschool circle time, setting up your board, how to use it, or fun ideas you’ve tried in your own homeschool preschool, leave a comment or reach out. I’m always here to help and I love hearing what’s working for you!
