Learning centers are a key part of the preschool experience. Centers allow students to explore different areas of the classroom and learn new skills through play-based activities. Kids are having fun with a purpose while learning!
They allow students time to engage in developmentally appropriate practice activities that are well thought-out and planned by the teacher.
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Centers should be inviting to young learners with hands-on activities that allow for exploration to open their minds to the world around them. It should introduce students to new ideas helping to develop fine motor skills. For many of these youngsters this is their first introduction to school. We want the preschool classroom and the centers within them to be welcoming, safe and happy places for them.
Interview with Ryan Ferro
Ryan Ferro is an early childhood educator working in Queens, NY. Ryan has been an early childhood educator for 16 years. 8 of those years have been spent in the preschool classroom. Ryan is a proponent for the use of centers when created properly and in the best interest of children to enhance their learning and development. When discussing the importance of books and reading in learning centers Ryan states, "It's not about mastery, it's about them being exposed".
Centers with reading connections may include
Writing center
Reading center
Math center
Dramatic play
Block center
Science center
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There are many other centers that can be included in a preschool classroom. Choices are dependent on the age and interests of your students. These centers can be changed throughout the year to offer variety to students touching on their various interests.
How to set up centers in your classroom
What is a centers approach to the teaching of reading?
There are valuable reasons to use learning centers in your classroom when developing reading practices. Learning centers improve literacy by encouraging students to apply their skills in groups. Centers promoting reading are a vital part of a literacy curriculum. They give students the opportunity to work individually or in small groups to practice reading skills in innovative ways. This allows students to build their independence and ability to work with others while working on key literacy concepts. The integration of literacy centers can support improvement in reading comprehension, language, social, and writing development (Fountas & Pinell, 1996; 2000; Morrow, 1997; 2003). Literacy centers facilitate problem-solving because students are able to explore, invent, discover, and create alone or with others at centers (Stone, 1996).
Centers help youngsters to grow socially, allows them to explore different areas of the classroom and learn new skills, while gaining an understanding about the world around them.
Ryan Recommends
Books Ryan has used in his centers engaging his students in reading.
Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Snuggling up in the Cozy Corner with their favorite stuffed animal coupled with a great book, Ryan believes this is a book that will help to forge youngsters love of learning and reading.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
Ryan speaks to this text as being one that is helpful in an art center as it enourages the reader to try new things. From one little dot we can create a our very own masterpiece. This story celebrates the creative spirit in everyone!
If I Built a House by Chris Van Dussen
A resource of Ryan's to be displayed in the block center inspiring imagination and creativity in young children. This is the story of a young boy who dreams of building a home using his own imaginative and creative inventions. Its a great way to spark imagination!
The Three Little Pigs
The various versions of this classic tells a different story from the perspective of different characters. Can be used in the block center, reading center, etc.
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