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Learning Areas
Children learn through play! That is why it is important that they are provided with a chance each day to explore in our learning areas throughout the classroom.
Below are just a few of the skills that children are developing as they work in daily free choice learning areas.
Art Tubs, Art Table, Easels
- fine motor skills
- creative expression
- colors, shapes, and size relationships
- exploring materials
- visual perception
Blocks
- spatial relationships
- cooperation
- balance
- cause and effect
- shape and size discrimination
- physical coordination
Book Baskets/Listening Center
- reading for enjoyment
- letter recognition
- concepts of print (left to right, tracking print, etc)
- following directions
- comprehension
- vocabulary development
Computers
- hand/eye coordination
- patterning
- sorting
- letter and numeral recognition
- concepts of print (left to right, tracking print, etc)
- following directions
Housekeeping
- oral communication skills
- conflict resolution
- vocabulary development
- understand experiences through role playing
Math
- hand/eye coordination
- problem solving
- one to one correspondence
- counting
- patterning
- sorting
Puppets
- comprehension/retelling of stories
- vocabulary development
- problem solving
- cooperation and social skills
Puzzles and Games
- hand/eye coordination
- classification
- visual perception
- problem solving
- social skills
Science Table
- exploration and discovery
- cause and effect
- measurement
- problem solving
- properties of matter
Writing/ABC
- fine motor skills
- develop creativity and expression
- communicate ideas
- letter recognition
- sequencing
- letter/sound correspondence
Just Playing
Author UnknownWhen I'm building in the block area,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play: about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.
When I'm getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm, "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play:
I may be a mother or a father someday.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint, or standing at an easel, or molding
and shaping the clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He's Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "Just Playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with
choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "Just Playing."
For, you see, I 'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some plaything at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "Play."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking and tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or an athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, "I Just Played,"
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work,
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work IS play
