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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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Most early childhood teachers agree the most chaotic periods of the day are arrival time,
transitioning throughout the day for different activities, preparing for lunch or going outside.
These are all times that are considered transition periods. With the proper planning these
transitions can be a times of growth and learning for each child.
However, done improperly, transition periods can be frustrating and confusing for both the child and the provider.
It is important that plans are well orchestrated to ensure a positive experience for the children.
Below you will find Jennifer's Helpful Hints for those tricky transitions!
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TRANSITION TIME
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HOW TO HANDLE
THE TRANSITION
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TRANSITION ACTIVITIES
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Arrival and a child is having issues
with leaving daddy or mommy
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Create an atmosphere that
allows a child to feel that
they are a valued & needed
part of the class
through greeting and rituals.
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Greeting
• Personally greet each child's arrival.
Ask them if they are having a good morning
and share with them the activities for the day.
Tasks to start the day (rituals)
• Create a Sign-in Poster
(regardless if the children can write their name),
that the children have to write on upon arrival.
Or
• Have the child place a "present marker" such as
their name, photo or character representation
of them on a "Who is Here Today" wall pocket.
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Going to from one activity to another
(such as free play to circle time)
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Forewarning is the key.
Many times children can get
so caught up in their activities
that they may not have an
awareness of outside activities.
Give children notice to prepare
to come to a close in their
current activity.
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Old stand by:
• Flashing the lights five minutes
before going to a new activity.
Make an announcement to bring a close
to their current activity.
Give them tasks to prepare for the new activity
• Have them take their "present marker"
from the "Who is Here Today" wall pocket
and bring to the Circle Time pocket chart
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Unexpected waiting:
The children have used the bathroom,
washed their hands, and are sitting
at the table for a lunch that is late.
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Just like a Boy Scout,
a teacher needs to
always "be prepared".
A teacher needs to anticipate
that "hiccups" are going to
happen.
Therefore, have handy a
small file of index cards of
quick "busy" activities
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Relate to a current activity
• If the fire department has visited recently,
talk about the experience.
This way the children are able to
interact and share their thoughts.
Songs and chants that include the children
• "We're Going on a Bear Hunt"
is a popular chant that evolves all the children,
as well as, build on their cognitive skills.
Read a book
• When all else fails,
grab the nearest book and read
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Helpful Hint of the Month...
Placing the children's lockers across from the entrance
encourages the parents to come into the classroom
and be more apart of their child's learning experience.
The Tip Me Not™ 5-Section Lockers
will encourages children to be more independent
by allowing them to place their own
personal belongings in the locker.
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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