Types of Preschool Learning Centers
Your preschoolers are inquisitive about the world, especially during this developmental phase in their life. Curiosity is running high as little hands like to explore, touch, and question everything! Learning centers are the perfect opportunity to harvest that energy into exploration and discovery.
Below you can find some suggestions on setting up some popular learning areas.
Early Childhood Art Interest Area
Let your students unleash their inner Picasso! This area is the perfect setting for students to explore colors, textures, and creativity.
Be sure to include a variety of materials beyond the basics such as playdough, collage materials, craft sticks, and Super Puffs.
Becker’s also offers a 2-Station Art Center, which comes with a handy storage unit for all those supplies.
Early Childhood Block Interest Area
Your preschool block center goes beyond building materials and manipulatives. Discover the math, literacy, science, engineering, and problem-solving opportunities in block materials and manipulatives that support so many areas of development. The blocks and manipulatives interest area of your classroom should be well-stocked, organized, and labeled so children can easily manage play and clean-up.
Early Childhood Dramatic Play Interest Area
Role-playing is always a favorite with preschoolers. Dramatic play materials should be organized and labeled, and include props and clothing for various cultures, careers, and social settings. Children are at a developmental phase where they need to imitate adult roles and have experiences that reflect real life. This is the perfect area for them to imitate what they see in the world around them.
This area also offers the perfect opportunity for students to explore their evolving social skills, as they interact and role play with other students.
Early Childhood Literacy Interest Area
It is important to give children exposure to literacy at a young age. By providing the introduction to multiple genres, students can begin to explore their preferences. They’ll never know what type of books they like unless they have a broad selection from which to choose.
Within the classroom, ensure that there are at least 20-30 age-appropriate books in good condition, from an assortment of literature categories (such as science, multi-cultural, fantasy, etc.).
Early Childhood Music and Movement Interest Area
As educators, we know how our young students gravitate toward materials that provide musical enrichment and opportunity for self-expression. The music and movement center provides just that.
Materials such as dance props, CD’s, and instruments, will allow your preschoolers to embrace the rhythm as they express themselves every which way.
Early Childhood Math and Manipulatives Interest Area
Exposure to math through problem-solving activities, such as number games and puzzles, is a great way to introduce the subject to preschoolers.
Incorporating a play register will encourage students to count out money as they perform transactions. While on the receiving end, the “customer” can count the products they would like to purchase.
Bingo helps visually reinforce numbers, as students will need to associate the number being called out to the physical number on their card.
Number pebbles and counting stones let your students engage their cognitive skills with fun and colorful active learning tools to strengthen math skills independently.
Early Childhood Nature and Science Interest Area
Stimulate your preschoolers and inspire endless wonder as they explore hands-on science experiments. Becker’s Primary Science Lab Set provides pre-k friendly activities to get your students eager to participate!
Books and fun experimental tools will also keep the exploration momentum going as you rotate activities within the center and provide meaningful experiences with the wonders of nature.
Early Childhood Sand and Water Play Area
While sometimes referred to as the “sensory area”, the sand and water center is always a popular pick for students. This center has multiple benefits, as it gives students creative freedom to explore textures and motions, while also helping develop social skills further, as children typically tend to interact with other students during this activity.
Be sure to set up your center near a sink or washing area to try and keep messes to a minimum. Have fun with this space, and be sure to incorporate a variety of activities and different sensory tools, as it will get your students excited for science!
Early Childhood Technology Center
Current trends indicate young children are getting increasingly more tech-savvy, so they’ll likely feel right at home in this space.
An interactive tablet is the perfect budget-friendly option for this area if a desktop or laptop computer is not available. However, don’t be shy in asking parents or staff if they are willing to donate any used electronics.
When selecting digital content, limit material to those that are educational and enhance classroom themes. Digital tools should support active learning and not be used as an isolated activity. This center will help students experience how technology can be used in an educational manner, as they begin to become more comfortable in today’s technology-filled world.
Early Childhood Writing Center
A writing center provides opportunities to get preschoolers excited for writing. The more writing materials you can incorporate, the more inspired your students will be to experiment!
By setting different weekly writing activities, such as bookmaking or shopping list creation, you can keep the area fresh and exciting as students delve into the world of writing.
What activities and tools do you like to use in your preschool learning centers?