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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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Building on Literacy
A reading area should be arranged to encourage and promote literacy within the classroom environment.
Use the following suggestions to make the most of the literacy area in your classroom.
• Place the reading area away from the dramatic play and block play area.
• Place books on the Big Book Display and position chairs from the Wood Designs Furniture line so that children can quietly read.
• Placing the Deluxe Puppet Theater in a comer will encourage children to perform to entertain themselves and others who are watching.
• Keep the area out of the traffic flow.
• Limit children in the area to between 2 and 3 at a time.
• Keep a variety of books such as paperbacks, hardbacks, big books and books with tapes in the area.
• Ensure books are in good condition.
• Provide a wide selection of books, which cover a variety of topics, information, people, animals, science, and different cultures & abilities.
• Welcome children to the area with cushioned furniture, rugs and pillows.
• Add props to enhance reading such as puppets and stage, listening center and writing materials.
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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...
Encourage parents to come into the classroom
by placing lockers across from the entrance.
The Tip Me Not™ 5-Section Lockers
also encourage children to be more independent
and place their belongings in their locker space.
To check out these great items,
simply click on the links provided.
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WD51080
Tip-Me-Not 5-Section Seat Lockers (w/Pegboard Back)
WD51090
Tip-Me-Not 5-Section Seat Lockers (w/Plywood Back)
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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
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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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