Setting up a curriculum can always be a lot of work, I find lamenating things the most time consuming of all. In any event, I work with young toddlers and typically I do monthly themes i.e. May was the garden and weekly we would break it down to flowers, vegetables, bugs. But many times these weekly themes carry through to the next week.

I find a different weekly theme at this young age isn't necessary and I try to focus on what the kids seem to be interested in. They love the bugs...so that has seemed to last the longest here.

As for circle, I've always found my little ones to love circle. I've never had any trouble holding their interest. I have a puppet that we use every circle that sings hello to the kids and they love to hug and kiss it. We do the calendar and check the weather and a fun song followed by a story on the felt board. As long as there is music and action (finger play, felt board story) you'll have the kids attention. I have a little shaker that i shake when I'm about to start circle and as soon as I shake it they start running for the spot on the mat for circle time.

I keep circle time very short...it only lasts for several minutes. But throughout the day, I'll do other learning activities in little bursts, color games, counting fun, always reading and lots of singing.