If your small group time feels rushed, unorganized, or just not working, you’re not alone.
Small group time is one of the most effective ways to teach in preschool—but only if it’s done right.
Here’s the good news: small group time doesn’t have to be stressful. You just need a solid plan and a few simple tweaks to make it work.
Let’s talk about the biggest small group mistakes teachers make—and how to fix them.
The 9 Biggest Small Group Mistakes (And How to Fix Them!)
1. Not Having a Plan (AKA Winging It Every Time)
Without a plan, small groups feel scattered and inconsistent.
Fix It: Use a repeatable small group structure so you’re never scrambling for an activity.
2. Not Enough Prep Time, So Small Group Gets Pushed Aside
If it’s not prepped, it’s the first thing to go.
Fix It: Prep simple, low-material activities ahead of time—or use a resource that’s already planned for you.
3. Groups That Are Too Big
More than four or five kids turns into another whole-group lesson.
Fix It: Keep groups small—quality over quantity.
4. Lessons That Are Too Long
If kids lose focus, you’ve lost the learning.
Fix It: Keep small groups short and engaging—eight to twelve minutes is plenty.
5. Using Small Group for the Wrong Skills
Small groups aren’t just for review.
Fix It: Use them for targeted instruction that requires hands-on support.
6. Not Differentiating Instruction
If every group does the same thing, some kids are lost while others are bored.
Fix It: Adjust difficulty levels for each group—same concept, different support levels.
7. Focusing Too Much on Paper and Not Enough on Hands-On Learning
Preschoolers learn through movement and play, not worksheets.
Fix It: Keep it multisensory, interactive, and engaging.
8. Feeling Like You Have to Create Everything From Scratch
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every week.
Fix It: Use ready-made small group lessons to save time and energy.
9. Not Observing and Adjusting Based on Kids’ Needs
A rigid plan that isn’t working won’t help anyone.
Fix It: Observe, take notes, and adjust instruction based on what kids actually need.
Make it Easy and Effective
Small groups should be one of the best part of your teaching day—not the most stressful.
If you’re tired of spending hours planning for these groups, my newly updated Small Group Binder has everything you need.
- Done-for-you small group lesson plans
- Activities designed for preschool and pre-K
- Easy-to-use structure so you never have to “wing it” again
Grab your Small Group Binder now!
