Layout of Preschool Day Care Classroom - Setting Up the Classroom

Layout of Preschool Day Care Classroom - Setting Up the Classroom

One of the most important things to consider at the beginning of the school year is the layout of the preschool day care classroom. Since preschool is often a child's introduction to the world of school, it must be an environment where they experience the fun of learning. This allows children an opportunity to develop a set of positive feelings and associations with the classroom that they'll carry with them throughout the remainder of their educational days.

The layout of the preschool day care classroom must be conducive to learning and play while keeping the children safe. Preschoolers are constantly on the move, so organizing this chaotic environment can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.

Child-Sized Fun

Many educational experts have written theories on the layout of the preschool day care classroom. Of these experts, one of the most credible and commonly read is Maria Montessori, who insists that everything in a preschool classroom such as the chairs, tables, shelves, and cubbies should be appropriately sized for its pint-sized students. As an instructor setting up their own preschool classroom, try looking at everything while kneeling down to gain the child's eye view.

When developing the layout of a preschool classroom, divide the room up into the necessary sections. These include, but are not limited to, art, blocks, dramatic play, manipulative, music, library, and science. Some instructors also include a writing area near the library, and others are lucky enough to have an indoor playground as a part of the classroom experience.

Remember that certain areas require more space than others, such as dramatic play and blocks. These areas tend to be noisier than others, and as such, they should be grouped together in the classroom. Quieter activities like art and reading should also be placed together on the opposite side of the room, if possible. To mark the boundaries between the areas, use shelving units or colored duct tape on the floor.

It's important to keep the center of the classroom free from large objects as that's where the children assemble in a large circle for story time or show-and-tell. The walls of the preschool classroom can be decorated with seasonal decorations, samples of the children's art, a large wall calendar labeled with important dates and activities, a weather chart, and an attendance chart with a picture of each child.

Get out the Label Maker

Though most preschoolers are not yet able to read, it's important to label everything in the classroom. This will teach children some basic words, and within the course of the year, they should be able to recognize and read these words, forming an excellent foundation for learning to read.

Each section of the classroom should also be labeled with a sign hanging on the wall above the center. Graphics can be added to these signs to help show children what is performed in each center. For example, on the "Art Center" sign above the art area cut out pictures of a paint brush, paint, crayon or pair of scissors.

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2 Great Preschool Polar Bear Activities

2 Great Preschool Polar Bear Activities

In the United States, Polar Bears have become synonymous with Coca-Cola advertisements. We watch cute polar bears have parties and fun while drinking Coca-Cola soda in the Arctic. Preschool children need to understand that there is much more to polar bears and that they don't actually drink Coca-Cola!

This article provides two preschool polar bear activities that will encourage preschool children to learn more about polar bears which include the facts and not the creative advertisements of Madison Avenue.

Art Activity

The first activity is an art activity that will have preschool children create a polar bear picture of their own. This activity is great for a rainy day or winter activity when it is simply too cold to go outside. Preschoolers will develop their fine motor skills in completing this activity. At the same time having a lot of fun exploring their creativity!

You will need the following:

Materials:

* white and black construction paper,

* scissors,

* glue, and

* colorful crayons.

Advanced preparation for this activity involves cutting the white construction paper into several different size circles which will comprise the body of the polar bear. Cut the white construction paper into one large circle for the body, one medium circle for the head, and two small circles for the paws.

Cut a small circle in half to create two semicircles for the feet. Cut another small circle in half to create two semicircles for the ears.

Begin this activity by asking the preschool children what they know about polar bears. Where do polar bears live? What do they eat? Explain that they are going to make polar bears of their own. Demonstrate how to glue the white construction paper circles onto the black construction paper background to create a polar bear.

Be sure to tell preschool children to not use too much glue when they are pasting on the circles as this will become a mess! Demonstrate how to take black crayons and draw distinction in the polar bear face, paws, belly, and ears. Encourage the children to draw other items that are in a polar bear habitat such as ice, snow, and fish. Display the artwork in the classroom or at home.

Learning More About Polar Bears Through Creating a Polar Bear Habitat. The second activity is to learn more about polar bears through creating a polar bear habitat. Preschoolers will find this a very exciting activity to participate in! Preschoolers love group activities, and this activity will enhance their social skills.

Materials:

* A large refrigerator box.

* A large sheet of white and blue art paper.

* Scissors,

* Masking tape.

* Cotton or White packing peanuts.

* You will also need the book, "Polar Bear Night" by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Stephen Savage.

Advanced preparation for this activity includes cutting the large cardboard box along one of the long edges. This will allow you to flatten the cardboard box along the wall. The cardboard box will act as a polar bear house of snow and ice. (Polar bears create dens in snowbanks.)

Begin the activity by reading the book, "Polar Bear Night". Discuss the habitat of polar bears with the preschool children. Explain that polar bears have white fur so they can protect themselves by blending in with the snow. In addition, polar bears have water resistant fur that allows them to swim in the icy waters.

Tell the children that you are going to make a polar bear snow den. Have them help you tape the large white art paper to the cardboard box. Place a large piece of blue art paper on the floor near the polar bear snow den to represent water. Lastly, place cotton or package peanuts around the snow den to represent snow and ice. Allow the children to explore more about polar bears while sitting in the polar bear den.


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