Lesson 2.

1
The Setting: Where
Curriculum Happens
 OBJECTIVES:

01 Discuss the basic learning centers

in the setting; and

02 Explain other considerations in the

setting.
The setting or learning
environment is where the
curriculum happens for young
children.
From infancy on, children are in an
“eager to learn” mode. Young children do
not learn in pieces or compartments; they
learn holistically with their bodies, senses,
minds, and feelings in lively interaction
with whatever surrounds them.
 Montessori stressed the
____________
importance of a prepared
learning environment.
 Piaget emphasized that
__________
children learn through active
multisensory and physical
exploration, beginning in
infancy.
The theories of child psychologist Jean Piaget,
inventive educator Maria Montessori, self-
made theorist and researcher Lev Vygotsky,
and the Reggio Emilia movement have all
impacted twentieth-century early childhood
educators' belief that children are always
learning from the physical and social
environments in which they find themselves.
What are Learning
Centers?
 Learning Centers

Learning centers are essentially stations or

designated classroom areas to promote
independent practice in the skills or subjects
you’ve taught in class. Children thrive on
exploration and active engagement, which
learning centers can help with all year long.
 Before You Begin

students’ age will It will help which learning

will the students
determine what determine how centers make the
sit at a table?
kinds of equipment many learning most sense of your
Bean bag chairs?
and supplies you’ll centers feel teaching style and
A carpet?
need. comfortable in your expertise?
space.

Your
Age of Seating Learning
Classroom
Students Arrangements Center Type
Size
Learning Center Examples
Math Center
STEM Center
Reading Center
Writing/Spelling Center
Listening Center
Dramatic Play Center
Art Center
Basic Learning
Centers in the
Setting
 Science and Math Discovery Learning
Groupings of discovery and problem-solving
materials can be placed in small interest centers in
various places in the setting, keeping in mind that
they should be fresh, engaging, and reflective of
children's thematic and emerging interests.
Science and Math Discovery Learning
 Sensory Learning
The sensory learning center would include a table or
bins of sensory materials that are rotated for
children's exploration and the sand table, the water
table, and clays or playdough.
It is always recommended that sand, water, and
playdough or clay be available daily and that other
sensory materials are also provided in small tubs if at
all possible.
Sensory Learning
 Housekeeping and Dramatic Play
The housekeeping and dramatic play center contain
play furniture, play foods, dishes, telephones,
discarded computer keyboards, tote bags, briefcases,
dress-up clothes for both boys and girls, a full-length
mirror, and play appliances.
Housekeeping and Dramatic Play
 Large-Muscle Area
The large-muscle center is often the same space used
by the teacher during large-group circle times, music
and movement activities, and story time. This space's
multiple-use is not a problem since the active
play/large-muscle area will be used by children
during a free-choice time, not during teacher-directed
times.
Large-Muscle Area
 Small-Muscle Area
The small-muscle learning center is defined for the
use of table toys, manipulatives, and materials such
as bristle blocks and puzzles, often used by children
(especially 3-year-olds) on the floor. Materials
should support both success and challenge for
children.
Small-Muscle Area
 Blocks Area
The daily and appropriate use of unit blocks teaches
cooperation and social skills, creativity and dramatic
play; spatial relationships; perceptual skills; and
math, science, and language skills. They are the most
versatile and open-ended of the consumable
materials in the early childhood setting and well
worth the investment of their price.
Blocks Area
 Literacy and Library Areas
Books and picture books should be age-appropriate,
accessible, free of bias, include multicultural subject
matter, and properly stored so that children can see
their choices. Books should be rotated and should
reflect the children's current interests.
What is most important is that the reading area is
quiet, attractive, and comfortable.
Literacy and Library Areas
 Outdoor Area
The outdoor area is essential for the development of
children's physical skills and fitness and for its
opportunities to observe and discuss changes in the
outside environment, nature, and ways to care for the
environment.
Outdoor areas should be fenced and away from
hazards.
Outdoor Area
 Other
Considerations
in the Setting
1 Orderliness
When children see that materials in the
setting are orderly, attractive, accessible, and
well organized, it is easier for them to make
thoughtful choices and be more responsible
in taking care of their environment.
2 Children as Helpers
Children should be encouraged, daily, to be
involved in the setup and care of the setting
and learning environment. Occasionally,
programs arrange to have every child do one
small job every day. Visual cues are used to
remind children of their jobs.
 Displays and
3 Decoration
The essential wall coverings in early
childhood settings display children's work
and open-ended art; this should predominate
over adult-made or purchased items. Letters
and numbers are best displayed as they are
introduced, not all at once.
4 Personal Space
There should be individualized space for each
child in the group, and these spaces should be
personalized. One of the best ways to
individualize children's personal spaces is to
label them with names and photographs. This
is a great self-esteem builder.
5 Safety and Health
Settings for young children should be safe,
and aspects of the health, sanitation, and
safety of the environment should be regularly
checked by professionals.
6 Required Postings
All required documents, licenses, emergency
procedures, emergency telephone numbers,
and fire exit plans should be posted, and
emergency or first-aid materials should be
easy to find. Emergency procedures in
sequenced, step-by-step picture posters are
beneficial to children.
7 Parent Information
A parent bulletin board or information area
should be part of every early childhood
setting, and information should be clear,
attractive, and up to date. Free information
relevant to families' interests should be
provided.
 Social-Emotional
8 Climate
Adults who model positive social
interactions and praise children descriptively
for the following suit will find that children
copy and
learn positive social behaviors quickly.
Learning centers are a common instructional
routine in both preschool and kindergarten
classrooms. They provide the opportunity for
children to work independently on several tasks.
They recognize that young children need to be
active, move around the classroom, engage in
different activities, and work with different
materials.
Learning centers also provide teachers the
opportunity to focus their attention on small groups
of children while the rest of the class is actively
engaged and learning.
In the preschool setting, learning centers may be
more closely associated with free play times in
which several centers or classroom areas are open
and available to children.
Thank You!