Point of Learning Centers

I utilize learning centers which is a part of Creative Curriculum. Creative Curriculum is based of the research that "children learn through play." These centers look like the children are just playing, but they are learning all the concepts they need. During play in these centers they can learn about the world around them, literacy, mathematics, language skills, social skills, cognitive skills, science, work their gross and small motor skills, etc.

Homeliving

In the home living center children express their dreams and desires. They get to act out any role they want when they grow up and work on their social skills as they work together. This is a safe environment where children can play out their ideas and experiment with props. This is a popular center that helps children build their self-confidence as they develop their capabilities. This center helps children think about other people, their feelings, and helps children learn responsibility.

Construction

The construction center offers children the ability to build their imaginations. They work on their creativity as they learn about science concepts such as gravity and supports. They build ramps and learn about inertia and position words such as top, bottom, in, out, etc. They also learn about mathematics and geometry in this center, blocks also help teach them proportions. They learn about problem solving skills when they figure out why their tower keeps falling, and Legos can help teach children about engineering and technology as they make simple machines.

Cozy Nook

The cozy nook is a small, quiet space built for a maximum of two children. This area allows children some peace and quiet while teaching them the correct way to use books. Sometimes children need a break from their peers, want to be alone, and don't want to share. The cozy nook gives them this privacy and free space while still teaching them other valuable concepts like literacy skills.

Science

This center obviously teaches about science and nature, but children also gain skills and an attitude towards learning. They learn how magic like science can be as they identify patterns, relationships, size, shape, and compare, sort, and classify. Children begin to make hypothesis and build explanations and ideas about the world around them.

Art

Art is the endless possibility of creativity. I do not do many ditto sheets. Everything in my art center is open-ended and the children can use it to create and construct their wildest dreams. Art greatly works their fine motor and concentration skills. Most of children's art begins accidental and becomes intentional with the more experiences they have. Children's emotions are embedded in their artwork and they build self esteem when they are proud of what they have created.

Table Toys

Table Toys are manipulatives and much like art really works children's fine motor skills. Manipulatives help children greatly work on their problem solving skills as they work small pieces to fit them together. Children are learning critical thinking skills as they sequence, sort, classify, and work number concepts.

Outside

Outside play lets children work their gross motor skills. Through outside games they can learn direction following, balance, spatial awareness, cooperative play, hand-eye coordination, and awareness of nature and surroundings.