Creating the classroom environment takes quite a bit of decision making, and planning carefully how it should be structured. Making sure that the classroom has a safe, healthy warm inviting feeling for all children. The arrangement of the classroom is just one aspect, organizing the materials that go into each center, resources you need to incorporate are rules, picture schedule, the classroom made specials needs arranged, and having impute from families when possible helps.
Will explain below how a Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom has been put together, with the materials and resources that were available (Classroom Architect).Materials that were put into the classroom we made sure they were age appropriate for Pre-K children. Having specific educational areas throughout the classroom where children can go to and work individually or in a group. These are the areas that are in the classroom:Art Center- Where children can express themselves with art how they are feeling, expressing emotions using materials such as assorted paper, crayons, paint, paint brushes, paint smocks, glue, assorted collage items, play dough, scissors, tape so they can create what they are thinking at the time.Science Center- Is area children can experiment explores, predict outcomes, observe and learn how to solve problems. Children learn from having concrete objects and experiences.
Math/Puzzles/Small Manipulative- Children will learn how to engage in one-to-one correspondence, counting, meaning of numbers, number recognition, time and money, shapes, comparing, measuring, and using their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.Computer Center- Learning to use the computer equipment is first the mouse how to use it, using educational games with activities that can help them in counting, alphabet, reading, listening, counting, shapes, colors, also using fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.Dramatic Play Center- This center is widely used first with the children they can use their imagination, learn cooperative play, and pretend play. Learning to be social, share, work together, language skills, to solve problems with peers or on their own.
Block Center- Using their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, working with others cooperatively building creatively with other children. Designing and using their imagination to build. Music/Movement Center- Using music and movement helps children in large motor as well as small motor skills. Encourages children to be creative to listen be interactive with others learn about rhythm, tempo, melody and beat.Reading Center- Children learn to hold books correctly, parts of a book front cover, back cover, spine of a book.
What does and author do and what does an illustrator do, listen, they learn to sit and look at books, also listening to books being read to them early stages of learning to read.Writing Center- In the writing center they will develop their hand-eye coordination along with fine motor skills to enhance their learning to write and also they will be developing their literacy skills, letter recognition.Water/Sand Table- Developing their sensory motor skills, having a variety of textures in the sand/water table. Every month will be changed to different items or when possible could add, colored rice, sand, water, potting soil, snow, mud (Creating an Effective Physical Classroom Environment).This classroom has three teachers; a lead teacher, an assistant teacher and a teacher aide that work together to teach a classroom of fourteen children.
The ratio of children for one teacher is eight. Having the classroom organized and ready with age appropriate material before children come in for the day helps in keeping the children engaged and learning at the same time which in turn helps with the behavior issues. That will in turn provide a more positive learning environment for all.With the proper tools, resources and support of co-teachers, parents and administrators it helps teacher in providing the best environment to meet the individual needs of all children in a learning environment (Designing Your Early Childhood Classroom).
