Colleen
Whittaker
Early Childhood Educator
The language and literacy center promotes phonological awareness. It also allows children to practice their reading, writing and comprehension skills. This area is a cozy area with a couch and rocking chair for the children to lounge on while reading one of the 40 books beautifully displayed on the book shelf. There are blankets and small stuffed animals for the children to snuggle with while reading. The center has a variety of writing materials; pencils, markers, colored pencils, and crayons. There are name tracing cards, letter tracing cards and word cards for the children to practice writing with. There are magnet letters with magnet boards, alphabet cards, alphabet tiles, and many electronic alphabet games for the children to build their knowledge with.
The table toy center helps to develop fine motor skills, math concepts, problem solving and hand eye-coordination. The center is filled with a variety of items for the children to build, create and learn with. There are a variety of puzzles, games and materials to promote cognitive skills. There are legos, Lincoln logs, tube connectors, hexibus, lacing cards and many other items to promote fine motor skills. The puppet theater is also located in this center. It is filled with large animal puppets, multicultural puppets, finger puppets and the children’s stick puppets. There are many ways for the child to use their imagination and improve their social skills and language skills while creating their own puppet show.
The block center helps to improve motor skills, problem solving skills, socialization and team work. It also teaches basic engineering and architecture concepts. The center is filled with a variety of items for the children to construct creative buildings and structures. The center has 100 unit blocks, small blocks, cube blocks, tracks, cars, people, dinosaurs, animals, construction tools and hats and many more items to entice a child’s mind. There is plenty of room for the children to build without the interruption of by passers.
The science center allows children to explore nature, science concepts, and math concepts. It helps children create an understanding of the environment, nature and the world around them. This center is filled with items from nature. There are live plants, our pet gecko (Ginger), pine cones, insects, rocks, shells and leaves. There are many other items to promote math skills such as counting bears, rulers, scales and patterning and sequencing items. The computer is located in this area is has many games which spark the intellect of a child. Games which promote math skills, cognitive skills, language development and much, much more.
The art center promotes creativity, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and self-expression. It allows children to creatively express their emotions. This center is filled with a variety of writing utensils such as crayons, markers, chalk, colored pencils, crayons, and water colors. There are 10 different types of craft items readily available for the children to create with. There are scissors, shape punchers and stencils to incorporate the use of fine motor skills. The easel is always set up with paint and large paper for the children to paint their masterpieces. There are art projects revolving around the weekly theme for the children to create throughout the week also.
The sensory center allows the children to learn and explore through play with a variety of natural items. The sensory area has a large sand table with items to pour, sift, measure and create with. There is a water table which can be set up randomly. There is a variety of sensory items to use such as rice, play-doh, oatmeal and goop.
The dramatic play center encourages role play, creativity, socialization, self-expression and a knowledge of family and the community. This area has a full kitchen area set up with a stove, refrigerator, sink, cabinets, microwave, ironing board, table and chairs. There are a variety of baby items to improve self-help skills and emotional and social skills. There are 8 multicultural babies, a crib, high chair, stroller, baby clothes, diapers and feeding items. There are so many outfits for the children to dress up in and play any role they desire.
Types of Prop Boxes:
Police Firefighter
Hair stylist Zoo
Veterinarian Chef
There are so many ways for the children to creatively socialize and interact in this center, it is so fun to watch the types of play they create every day.
