Classroom Environment

The Blocks area contains a variety of large and small blocks (wooden, cardboard, or foam) and small accessories like toy figures, cars and construction equipment. Children use the blocks area to explore how things work; they stack, build, balance, tear down, and create using their imagination.

The Dramatic Play area encourages children to use their imaginations as they work with one another using props like kitchen utensils, play food, clothes, and babies. Teachers transform this area regularly to support the curriculum themes being studied, such as a bakery, laundromat, farmers market, and restaurant.

A classroom Library is a quiet space where children can relax and enjoy books. Our classroom libraries include a variety of literature: fiction, nonfiction, alphabet books, number books, and nursery rhymes. This area typically has soft furniture or pillows for the children’s comfort and supports their literacy development.

The Sand and Water area provide experiences in measuring, pouring, comparing and creating. Many teachers consider this a sensory area and offer a variety of materials to explore such as leaves, acorns, packing peanuts, shredded paper, etc.

The Art area is a space for inspiration and creativity! In this area, children develop fine motor skills as they paint, draw, cut, paste, and create by using a variety of materials such as washable paint, tape, sponges, rollers, glitter, stamps and recycled materials of all types.

In the Music and Movement area, children can engage in making their own music and responding to the music of others. Our classrooms provide a variety of materials such as shakers, musical instruments, streamers, ribbons, and recorded music for the children to dance and move their bodies to fun beats and rhythms.

Toys and Games allow children to develop important thinking skills, social skills, and fine motor skills (the ability to use hands and fingers well). This area includes a range of puzzles, board games and small objects to provide children with good opportunities in identifying and matching colors, shapes, sizes and textures.

The Discovery area is a gateway to scientific exploration. It contains materials meant for open-ended exploration. A wide variety of natural materials are often displayed for children to explore (rocks, pinecones, starfish, leaves, acorns, etc). This area also offers magnets, weights, balances, ramps, magnifying lenses and measuring tools for the children to use in their investigations.