Return to the Helpful Hints Homepage 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.)   Helpful Hints: How to Establish Activity Areas for an Infant and Toddlers The hardest thing to do when setting up the environment for an infant & toddler classroom is making sure that you are meeting the needs for everybody involved in the learning process, the infants, the toddlers and even the adults within the classroom. The following are some ideas to consider when establishing your learning environment according to the various interest areas within the classroom. AREA INFANTS TODDLERS ADULTS Nap or Sleep Area • Cribs with an appropriate mattress • Cribs at least 36 inches apart   or protected by a barrier • Sheets changed daily   or as needed • Mobiles • Soft music • Individual sleeping schedule • Cots that are cleaned at least   once a week or as needed • Special blanket from home • Adult-size chairs,   rocking chair or glider   for helping to sooth   children to sleep Eating Area • Infant seat, high chair   or child-sized table & chair   with a supportive back • Child-sized eating utensils • Child-sized table & chairs   with supportive back • Child-sized cups, plates,   utensils and pitchers • Proper storage for food   (refrigerator and cabinets)   and other supplies • Equipment for serving • Food warmer such as   bottle warmer,   microwave, etc. • Separate sink for food prep • Counter space for food prep • Rocking chair, comfortable   chair or glider for feeding Diapering & Toileting • Proper changing station   in good repair with lib and belt • Easy to clean padding   on the change station • Mobile over the changing station   (for children to look at   while changing) • Wall mounted mirror next to   the changing station • Convent storage for   children's diapers, wipes, etc. • Changing station   in good repair with a lib and belt • Easy to clean padding   on the changing station • Step to the handwashing sink   or a child-sized sink • Steps to the toilet   or a child-sized toilet • Supply of soap,   paper towels and toilet paper • Convent storage for   cleaning supplies   (preferably lockable) • Separate sink   not used for food prep • Bleach & water solution   in spray bottle Quiet Play • Separate area away from   loud area of the classroom • Proper storage of materials   (book display and /or shelving) • Developmentally   appropriate materials   (soft or board books, soft toys) • Soft cushioning   (mat, pillows, soft toys, etc.) • Area sectioned off   from the loud area • Proper storage of materials   (book display and /or shelving) • Developmentally   appropriate materials   (soft or board books, soft toys) • Soft cushioning   (mat, pillows, soft toys, etc.) • Comfortable place to sit   that is still allows you   to interact with the children. • Needed materials are   within reach in the area. Active Play Area • Separated area for mobile   and non-mobile infants to play • Proper storage for   the children's materials   (shelves and trays) • Developmentally appropriate   materials for child   (soft cushioned materials,   nesting cups, rattles,   snap beads, stacking rings, etc.) • Proper storage for   the children's materials   (shelves and trays) • Developmentally appropriate   materials for child   (soft cushioned materials,   nesting cups, stacking rings,   2 to 3 piece puzzles,   lacing beads, snap beads,   blocks paint, paint brushes, etc.) • Low moveable shelves   to define the space. • Needed materials are   within reach in the area. Gross Motor Play • Separate & protected play area • Appropriate climbing equipment   (both inside & outside) • Separate & protected play area • Appropriate climbing equipment   (both inside & outside) • Low moveable shelves   to define the space. 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. Helpful Hint of the Month... Tot Size Book Display The Tot Size Book Display (WD32100) is a great way to incorporate literacy at the infant/toddler level by giving them furniture that is their size and exclusive to promoting literacy. Shown above: WD32100 Tot Size Book Display   Check us out in this article on the web... The Ultimate Early Ed Blueprint Creating an ideal early childhood education space in your school district is a no-brainer, once you understand how to see and think like a tot. By Julie Sturgeon, DistrictAdministration.com, May 2004 http://www.districtadministration.com/page.cfm?p=734    Teacher Resources: Helpful Hints Archive Our past Helpful Hints articles, organized & archived for your convenience in setting-up your own classroom. Enhance interest areas by providing enough shelving & storage bins for the amount of materials provided in the classroom.

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