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Helpful Hints: Creating Interest Areas
Setting up interest areas with in the classroom is important for
the making of a classroom that promotes the growth and development for a child.
Here are areas that are typically in an early childhood classroom:
• Blocks (unit blocks, people and transportation)
• Dramatic Play (kitchen set, dress-up clothes & dolls)
• Fine Motor or Manipulative (tables, puzzles, pegs & beads)
• Art (easels, paint, crayons & paper)
• Sand & Water (sand and water table, funnels, measuring cups & sponges)
• Library (book display, books & soft cushions)
• Music and Movement (dance/prop storage, musical instruments/players)
• Storage for Personal Belongings (lockers, storage bins, etc.)
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Helpful Hints:
Establish An Environment That Sends The Correct Message To Children
This is a Good Place to Be
- Use neutral colors on the walls and selectively use bright colors to highlight different areas and mark storage areas.
- Furniture should be clean and well maintained.
- Display wall decorations at the child's level.
- Leave large wall areas blank so children will not be overwhelmed.
- Decorate with plants, pillows and colorful table coverings to give a feeling of home.
You Belong Here
- Provide cubbies for each child with their name and/or picture on the outside for personal items.
- Make sure furniture in child sized and in good condition
- Provide a variety of books, pictures and learning materials.
- Protect children's artwork that is displayed
- Adapt materials, equipment and furniture to involve children with disabilities in all areas of the classroom.
- Choose materials that are reflective home life and culture of children.
This Is a Place You Can Trust
- Help children learn the events of the day with a well-defined schedule.
- Illustrate the schedule so children can "read" it.
- Keep your routine consistent for eating, napping, etc.
- Keep shelves neat, labeled, and uncluttered so children can find what they need.
You Can Be Independent and Do Things on Your Own
- Sort materials on low shelves to encourage use.
- Organize materials where they belong.
- Make certain labels and printed materials are in the child's home language.
- Open outdoor spaces will encourage children to exercise.
This is a Safe Place to Explore and Try Out Your Ideas
- Protect and define quiet areas for small group activities.
- Provide smocks for art and water activities to allow children to express themselves without ruining their clothes.
- Define floor space out of the traffic flow for play activities.
- Outdoor areas are fenced in and protected.
- Display materials to invite children to use them.
- Rotate toys frequently to provide new interests for the children.
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The aforementioned are professional opinions. All of these are the sole property of WDM, Inc.
Any use of the contents, above statements, or ideas requires the written permission of WDM, Inc. Violators will be prosecuted.
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Helpful Hint of the Month...
The 3-Way Adjustable Easels
The 3-Way Adjustable Easels has
(4) adjustable levels that will
give the teacher the ability to
adjust the work surfaces to accommodate
for the various sizes of the children,
while giving the needed storage space for
paint pots, brushes, chalk, and markers.
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Shown above:
WD18600
Tip-Me-Not™
3-Way Adjustable Easels (w/Chalkboard)
See also:
WD18700 (w/Hardboard)
WD18623 (w/Acrylic)
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Teacher Resources: Helpful Hints Archive
Our past Helpful Hints articles, organized & archived
for your convenience in setting-up your own classroom.
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Enhance interest areas by providing enough shelving & storage bins
for the amount of materials provided in the classroom.
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