| What Children Learn from the Environment |
| Children learn from whatever environment they are in. Our teachers and home visitors plan the classroom and outdoor areas carefully. |
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- We create distinct interest areas - blocks, dramatic play, manipulatives or table toys, art, sensory table, writing area, ABC center, math and science - in order to make choices clearer to children.
- We incorporate a classroom management system. Each child has their own symbol with their name and they place it in the area they wish to play. Each area is set-up to allow a certain number of children to play.
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- We select a wide variety of learning materials for each area with the curriculum goals in mind so that no matter where the children choose to play, they are learning.
- We put materials on low shelves, in containers and on hooks so children can get to them independently.
- We try to keep shelves uncluttered so materials are easier to see and find.
- We group similar materials together to teach children to sort and classify, which is important for later math problems.
- We put picture labels on containers and shelves so children know where materials belong.
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| Information from 'A Parent's Guide to Early Education', Teaching Strategies |
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| What Children Learn from the Activities in our Environment |
| When visiting your child's classroom, you may see a room full of children playing. Like most parents, you may wonder, "What are they doing just playing? When are they learning?" We have listed typical things children learn when they play in each of the classrooms. |
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When children play in this area:
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They are learning to:
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Blocks
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- Understand size, weight and number concepts
- Recreate the world around them by making roads or buildings.
- Control and coordinate muscles.
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Dramatic Play
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- Use their small muscle skills.
- Understand their experiences better by role playing.
- Group objects into categories.
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Manipulative, Table Toys
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- Coordinate the actions of their eyes and hands.
- Complete a task.
- Match and classify.
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Writing
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- Recognize how materials change.
- Plan and carry out a task.
- Use symbols.
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Sensory
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- Recognize cause and effect.
- Get along with others.
- Use their small muscle skills.
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Library/Reading
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- Book knowledge - reading from left to right, holding a book, turning one page at a time.
- Love books, remember details, express ideas.
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Science
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- Explore cause and effect.
- Participate cooperatively in a group.
- Think creatively to solve problems.
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Outdoor |
- Coordinate large muscle movements.
- Sharpen observation skills.
- Use their bodies in challenging tasks.
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Music
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- Creating different sounds and tones.
- Participate cooperatively in a group.
- Improve their rhythm and listening skills.
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| Information taken from 'A Parent's Guide to Early Education', Teaching Strategies |
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| What Children Learn from the Daily Schedule |
| The daily schedule supports our goals for children. We want your child to feel secure and independent, to transition from one activity to another as easily and confidently as possible. By having the daily schedule available in the room and following it day after day, children learn the routine and feel secure. After a few months, they are telling us what happens next! |
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| Information taken from 'A Parent's Guide to Early Education', Teaching Strategies |
