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2 Introduction: To make children feel welcome and comfortable. Predictable, Safe and orderly environment. Maximum learning and minimizing the frequency of behaviour problems.

3 What is a Learning Center? Preschool learning centers are areas where children learn and play. Many classrooms are divided into centers where children can polish their skills and themes. Learning centers come in all shapes, but they usually have at least three sides that are created with the use of walls or dividers. The size of the centers depends on the overall classroom space and the theme or type of play. Materials in preschool learning centers are organized to help children learn a skill.

4 Areas Preschool Classroom includes are: Reading area Role play /Story area Art and Craft area Toy area

5 To teach children a love and appreciation for books and need to be taught how to handle and respect them Pre-reading concepts - the stories are read from right to left; sequencing; letter recognition; language patterns and development; new concepts and vocabulary; etc. Children Avoid interrupting a child concentrating on a book Sit with children and read, or listen to them re-tell a story and ask open-ended questions to encourage thinking and predicting skills. Other toys and materials (eatables) should not be brought into the reading area. Reading Area

7 Understand and experience the adult world through imitation Means to express feelings and emotions Assist in better understanding their world Experience a sense of power by imitating grown- ups Develop creativity and imagination Experience different roles Improvising and symbolic use of items – abstract thinking Role play and story area

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9 Art and craft Area The art area should be available to children as a free choice Creativity and imagination, while allowing for self- expression. Best outlet for anger or frustration Concepts such as colors, shapes, lines, properties, textures, cause and effect, problem-solving, sizes, symmetry, design, balance, patterns, etc. Small muscle development and eye-hand coordination Locate this area on tile and near a sink if possible Ask the child if he/she would like for you to write down his/her words about the picture (dictation – encourages pre-reading/writing awareness) Teach children to assist in, and be responsible for, cleaning up any mess

11 Toy Area Small motor development and control (preparation for holding a pencil) Concentration and completion of a task Enhanced self-esteem and feeling of control and mastery Concepts such as patterning, sequencing, matching, order Encouragement in the event a child becomes frustrated Children must put materials back onto shelf after finished Facilitation of problem-solving in the event there is a conflict over materials

13 Other areas of preschool classroom are: Furniture arrangement Display of educational tools Bulletin/Soft boards Placement of white board Pigeon-hole rack Student corner

14 Immediate Benefits of a well-organized Classroom: Reduced teacher fatigue Improved student-teacher relations Improved parent-teacher relations Enthusiasm for professional growth Increased student academic progress

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25 Thank you