Young children learn by doing.
Teachers prepare the environment for children to learn through active
exploration and interaction with adults, other children, and materials.
Young children benefit from having a classroom with clearly defined, well-equipped
learning centers that are arranged to promote independence, foster decision
making, and encourage involvement.
 At the
Literacy Center children:
- sequence a story
- retell a familiar story
- express ideas, thoughts,
feelings
- associate print with spoken
language
- participate in reading and
writing activities
enjoy listening to and reading
stories and books
At
the Listening Center
children:
- develop vocabulary
- listen to favorite stories
- learn new language patterns
- listen to the ideas of others
- develop an interest in poetry
At
the Construction/Block
Center children:
- develop perceptual skills
- explore spatial relationships
- compare sizes and shapes
- develop large and small muscle
coordination
- learn how to work and plan
together
- explore problem solving techniques
- develop language and vocabulary
- explore cause and effect
- develop aesthetic awareness
At
the Art Center children:
- develop creative thinking
- plan, design, and construct
- express ideas and feelings
- experiment with colors, shapes,
sizes, and textures
- develop eye-hand coordination
and fine muscle control
- develop appreciation for
the artistic expressions of others
- develop self-concept and
confidence
- develop language
At
the Library Center children:
- respect and care for books
- dictate stories
- develop an interest in words
and books
- sequence pictures
- sequence a story
- develop left-to-right directionality
- choose books to enjoy reading
again and again
At
the Dramatic Play Center children:
- develop self-confidence
- act out familiar situations
and roles
- work out problems and concerns
- develop interpersonal skills
- engage in extensive communication
At
the Math Center children:
- create and record patterns
- estimate and measure
- sequence objects in order
by size
- develop one-to-one correspondence
- make and discuss graphs
- develop problem solving skills
- count objects
- classify objects
- write and read numerals
At
the Science Center children:
- explore the world of plants
and animals
- observe and describe life
cycles
- formulate and evaluate predictions
- recognize relationships
- gather simple data and draw
conclusions
- develop visual and tactile
senses
- classify materials
- use hand magnifiers and balances
At
the Sand and Water Table children:
- learn to share ideas and
tools
- make comparisons
- develop eye-hand coordination
- measure
- develop oral language
- complete a task and are responsible
for cleaning up after self
- make predictions
- estimate
- develop fine motor skills
- learn to take turns
At
the Puzzles and Manipulatives Center children:
- develop perceptual skills
- develop fine motor skills
- develop problem solving skills
- explore basic concepts in
a variety of curriculum areas
- experience a sense of achievement
and develop self-confidence
At
the Music and Movement Center children:
- sing and make up songs
- play musical instruments
and move to the beat
- listen to music
- participate in musical games
and activities
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