| One of the most important things to consider at | | | | Remember that certain areas require more space |
| the beginning of the school year is the layout of | | | | than others, such as dramatic play and blocks. |
| the preschool day care classroom. Since preschool | | | | These areas tend to be noisier than others, and |
| is often a child's introduction to the world of | | | | as such, they should be grouped together in the |
| school, it must be an environment where they | | | | classroom. Quieter activities like art and reading |
| experience the fun of learning. This allows children | | | | should also be placed together on the opposite |
| an opportunity to develop a set of positive | | | | side of the room, if possible. To mark the |
| feelings and associations with the classroom that | | | | boundaries between the areas, use shelving units |
| they'll carry with them throughout the remainder | | | | or colored duct tape on the floor. |
| of their educational days. | | | | It's important to keep the center of the |
| The layout of the preschool day care classroom | | | | classroom free from large objects as that's |
| must be conducive to learning and play while | | | | where the children assemble in a large circle for |
| keeping the children safe. Preschoolers are | | | | story time or show-and-tell. The walls of the |
| constantly on the move, so organizing this chaotic | | | | preschool classroom can be decorated with |
| environment can sometimes be a bit of a | | | | seasonal decorations, samples of the children's art, |
| challenge. | | | | a large wall calendar labeled with important dates |
| Child-Sized Fun | | | | and activities, a weather chart, and an attendance |
| Many educational experts have written theories | | | | chart with a picture of each child. |
| on the layout of the preschool day care | | | | Get out the Label Maker |
| classroom. Of these experts, one of the most | | | | Though most preschoolers are not yet able to |
| credible and commonly read is Maria Montessori, | | | | read, it's important to label everything in the |
| who insists that everything in a preschool | | | | classroom. This will teach children some basic |
| classroom such as the chairs, tables, shelves, and | | | | words, and within the course of the year, they |
| cubbies should be appropriately sized for its | | | | should be able to recognize and read these words, |
| pint-sized students. As an instructor setting up | | | | forming an excellent foundation for learning to |
| their own preschool classroom, try looking at | | | | read. |
| everything while kneeling down to gain the child's | | | | Each section of the classroom should also be |
| eye view. | | | | labeled with a sign hanging on the wall above the |
| When developing the layout of a preschool | | | | center. Graphics can be added to these signs to |
| classroom, divide the room up into the necessary | | | | help show children what is performed in each |
| sections. These include, but are not limited to, art, | | | | center. For example, on the "Art Center" sign |
| blocks, dramatic play, manipulative, music, library, | | | | above the art area cut out pictures of a paint |
| and science. Some instructors also include a | | | | brush, paint, crayon or pair of scissors. |
| writing area near the library, and others are lucky | | | | The preschool classroom layout needs this |
| enough to have an indoor playground as a part of | | | | attention to detail so that your children can have |
| the classroom experience. | | | | a safe and fun environment to learn. |