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Most regulatory agencies for child care state that you need to have at
least 5 activity areas within a classroom (fine motor, art,
imaginative play, block play and literacy), not to mention extra
activities such as science, sand and water, math and music and
movement. The only problem with this is how is a teacher able to
establish the various areas when his or her classroom is the size of a
large walk-in closet. The following are ways a teacher can make the
most of their learning environment.
Combining the Activity Areas
Place the activity areas that share like materials or help to develop
similar skills together. An example of this is by combining the
fine motor and art area, science and math or science and sand and
water. When you condense the areas you are creating more room
for play in the individual activity areas, while still providing the
needed materials.
Use Multi-use Furniture
Don't get a piece of furniture that has only one use. Get something
that you can use in various ways. For instance, the Cubby Table
(AAWD85001) is a tabletop and storage in one. This unit would work
perfectly in a small area that requires work surface and storage for
materials, such as a fine motor or math areas. A double-sided storage,
such as our Island Storage Unit line of furniture, is always great for
maximizing your space without taking away from the needed storage.
Movable Furniture
It would be great to have a sand and water table available in the
classroom at all times, however it may not always be possible due
space constraints. Therefore, place a sand and water table, such as
the Sand and Water Table with Lid/Shelf (AAWD11810) in a central
location within the facility and move it from classroom to classroom
as needed. By doing this all of the children have to opportunity to
experience the fun of sand and water play, but you are not occupying
the needed space.
Clear it out
As I stated in a previous article, clear the clutter out of the
classroom. Inventory the material that you use in the classroom. If
you have not used it with in the past 6 months, get rid of it. If
anything is broken or damaged in any way and can not be immediately
repaired throw it away.
Create a lending library
Create an area outside of the classrooms, preferably in a lounge or
director's office for materials that can be rotated in and out of the
classrooms. For example, if you have 3 different type of block play
animals (farm animals, jungle animals and sea creatures) instead of
placing them all in the classroom at one time, leave one set in the
classroom and the other two sets in the lending library area. By doing
this your are able to minimize the shelf space that is needed in the
particular area, while still having the opportunity to check out the
other sets. An added plus is that other classrooms have the
possibility of using the materials within their classrooms and your
children will not become bored with the same things day in and day
out.
For more articles or to shop for preschool furniture & supplies please
visit us at:
DaycareAtoZ.com
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