Learning Areas or Centers

Effective early childhood programs provide an appropriate physical environment by subdividing a classroom into learning areas or centers. Such an environment allows children to direct themselves through the arrangement of materials and equipment to engage in meaningful learning.

At the preschool and kindergarten levels, centers are focused on play areas in which the child chooses to participate. Centers commonly found in these classrooms include blocks, family living (housekeeping), discovery (sensory), library (reading), science, table toys, art, and a quiet area. Classrooms also have a central open area--often called the meeting area--where the teacher can gather the class together for planning, discussions, reading, and whole group instruction.

At the primary level, children become more interested in developing skills and exploring content. Learning is focused on areas of study and enables children to research topics in depth. Centers commonly found in primary classrooms include math, language, reading, writing, computer, blocks, dramatic play, social studies, and listening.

Because children are working independently in the centers, the teacher may wish to establish a management system for the use of each center. At the preschool and kindergarten levels, a management system establishes rules for areas and enables the teacher to control the number of children in an area. At the primary level, the management system may extend to contracts with students for work to be completed in each center.