Curriculum & Organization Space, Materials, Time, and Children’s Groups

The Physical Environment Safety –Indoors –Outdoors Comfort Space –min. 35 sq. ft./child –need for privacy –clear, physical boundaries Child Size Mobility –pathways Attractiveness –clean & orderly Storage –unit boxes –technology

Benefits of Centers Offer choices to children Allow for individual learning & behavior needs Promote responsibility & self evaluation Motivating to children Promotes cooperative learning/social skills Cuts down on paper/pencil tasks

Learning Centers A space within the setting, prepared with a careful selection of materials to reinforce specific goals & objectives

Benefits to Teachers Provide opportunities for children to practice skills & transfer knowledge Provide hands-on learning experiences in an organized way Allows teachers time to work with individual groups on skills/concepts Monitor and evaluate their instruction

Benefits to Teachers Provide opportunities for children to practice skills & transfer knowledge Provide hands-on learning experiences in an organized way Allows teachers time to work with individual groups on skills/concepts Monitor and evaluate their instruction

Effective Learning Centers Reinforce what has been taught in the classroom Are flexible and adaptable Promote holistic development Include activities that have been taught to the children before put in center Contain materials for different purposes

Effective Learning Centers Provide a period of time to interact with children spontaneously Change often Provide an integrated approach to thematic teaching Provide a variety of materials and activities

Examples of Centers Language Arts Creative Arts Construction Science Exploration/Discovery Manipulatives/Games Blocks Outdoor Nature Dramatic Play Project Reading/Writing Listening Computer/Technology Math Spelling Sand and Water