Dramatic Play: In the dramatic play center, we dress up, feed each other, and rock babies. This is one of the most popular centers for children. They learn social skills, problem solve, use their imaginations, practice conversational skills, and explore their self-concept. Parts of the dramatic play center change on a regular basis to meet the theme, while the basic home props are always available.
Music Center: Several instruments are provided for daily free play. Children explore rhythm, tonality, and volume while building creativity, large and small motor skills, body awareness, listening skills, memory development, and self-expression.
Math Center: Several small manipulative collections are offered for exploration. Children can sort, pattern, count, create, problem solve, and practice small motor skills.
Book Center: A quiet space with lots of cuddly toys sets up a great reading area. Books provided often go with the current theme and can me fiction or non-fiction, easy reader or read aloud. Books on CD and books on tape are offered all day. Children in this area may be building a love of reading, language skills, and self-expression.
Science Center: Here, children can explore the world around them. Tools available include magnifying glasses, color viewers, mirrors, rainbow viewers, magnet kits, nature items, discovery bottles, and picture-guided learning sheets. In this center, children practice observation, questioning, and exploration.
Puzzles and Games Center: Age-appropriate puzzles and games are provided, often coordinating with our theme. Children build small motor skills, cooperate, practice socializing, build self-confidence, and strategize.
Art Center: A variety of art materials are available for use. Children engage in spatial awareness, creativity, self-expression, and small motor control.
Sensory Table: Always a popular choice, the sensory table lets children explore the world using their five senses. The contents change with our themes and can vary between sand, water, sawdust, cocoa bark mulch, dirt, beans, nature items, and more. Children experiment, learn motor control, and experience tactile stimulation.
Block Center: Soft and wooden blocks are avilalable for building, while vehicles, animals, and small people help children to fill up their creations. Here children problem solve, cooperate, create, and explore spacial awareness, size, and shape.
Technology center: This center offers educational computer games and electronic toys. Children learn language skills, hand-eye coordination, math skills, and specific knowledge.
Theme Extension Center: A low table provides an extra center in our classroom, allowing space for special theme- based toys. The items involved change with each theme and include doll houses, a train set, a marble run, and more. Children construct, create, practice language skills, and develop imagination.
Phonics Center: This center is a space for practicing writing skills and playing phonics games. Children use hand-eye coordination, language skills, and visual discrimination.