Learning Centers {an additional resource for 5 Days of Organizing Kids Toys into Centers}

Learning Centers provide a wonderful match for active young learners & a responsive environment. In learning centers, young children can select the activity that interests them. They can work at their on pace & participate in activities that allow them to be successful. Children are motivated to work on the tasks that are important to them & are able to shape what is happening. The effective center is designed to related to the children's environment & planned to encourage their involvement in this "center world," children can try out many ideas & rearrange the events to fit their level of understanding. In this social setting, children have the opportunities to work together & get rapid feedback from their actions & language. (Isbell, 1995)

- Creativeity and the Art with Young Children {2nd edition}

Suggestions for Preschool & Kindergarten Centers:

Long Term Centers

Blocks
Art
Housekeeping/Home Living
Library/Literacy
Private Places
Music/Movement
Nature/Discovery
Manipulatives

Special/Short-term Centers

Construction/Carpentry
Fitness
Sensory Exploration
Drama/Puppet
Pizza Parlor (thematic)
Beach (thematic)
Hair Salon (thematic)
Camping (thematic)
Doctor's Office (thematic)
Grocery Store (thematic)

Suggestions for Primary School Age Centers:

Long-Term Centers

Literacy
Fitness
Discovery (Science & Math)
Math/Manipulitives
Blocks/Construction
Author's Corner
Computer Area

Special/Short-term

Carpentry
Drama
Projects/Thematic Centers
Literature-Related Centers
Inventor's Laboratory
Gardening (thematic)

Ways to support play in centers include:

allowing children to select the center where they play.
providing sufficient time for children to move into roles and sequence.
selecting equipment and props that are attractive and interesting.
designing the areas so they are self-managing and do not require and adult in the area.
changing the materials to stimulate new interests or expanded play opportunities.
taking time to talk about enter play after is completed each day.

When you 1st set up the centers it is helpful to introduce children to the traditional centers by visiting each and discussing the activities that can occur int these special areas. When a new center {or special/short-term center} is set up, have a "grand opening" and talk about the area, some of the possibilities for play and new props you've added.

This is just a little additional information to aid the 5 Days Series on Organizing Kids Toys

Monday: 5 Days of Organizing & Cleaning TOYS into Centers: Selecting.
Tuesday: 5 Days of Organizing Kids Toys into Centers: Dramatic Play
Wednesday: 5 Days of Organizing & Cleaning TOYS into Centers: Manipulitives
Thursday: 5 Days of Organizing & Cleaning TOYS into Centers: Reading
and the finale on Friday: 5 Days of Organizing & Cleaning TOYS into Centers: Sanitizing

This post series is linked to 21 other lovely ladies doing a variety of tops for the 5 day series on organizing and cleaning.