Room Layout

At the Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center in Peoria, Illinois, classrooms are arranged into learning areas or centers through the placement of furniture. Furniture is placed perpendicular to the walls, and shelving and storage units are used to break up a large classroom into smaller areas. This layout minimizes distractions and helps children focus on individual tasks and goal setting. It also encourages conversations and collaborative work between children.

A large meeting area provides a gathering place for bringing the group together, working floor puzzles, and sharing books. The centers at the kindergarten level include Language and Literacy, Table Toys, Discovery (Math and Science), Easels, Sensory Table, Art, Blocks, and Family Living. The pre-primary classrooms (three and four year-olds) have a smaller Language and Literacy Area and an additional Table Toys area.

The classroom is zoned for placement of centers. Noisy activities are separated from quiet activities. Proximity to needed resources--such as water, sunlight, computer hookups, or replacement supplies--also determines the placement of centers. Materials and manipulatives are stored close to the area of use and are easily accessible by the children. The classroom layout is designed to assist children in becoming as independent as possible.

Centers are designated by signs hanging from the ceiling. These signs identify the area with a name and explain its purpose to visitors. Pictures on the signs communicate to the children. Using the signs provides a common vocabulary for use in the classroom. On each sign, there is an explanation of how the activities in that area assist in a child's development.

The room is perceived differently by children and adults. Children perceive the classroom as a series of small classrooms of which they can see only a few at a time. Adults perceive the classroom as a large open space with dividers.

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