By Christina Stien, Preschool Teacher

Learning centers are an integral part of our classroom for students. Learning centers are a purposeful way of dividing up your classroom into different subject/learning areas. The location of each learning center, placement of furnishings or equipment, and easily available materials give a clear message to the child about what is to take place in that area.

Learning centers are used during free choice after our morning meeting. Each student can choose a learning center to work in and enjoy play-based learning.  Teachers facilitate learning by adding new materials and help engage students in the center they are working in to keep interest level high.These are our following centers.

Dramatic play: in this learning center is a place students can go to pretend, imagine, and be creative. … Students can learn and develop skills in all learning domains (language, literacy, math, science, social studies, fine motor, gross motor, and social skills) through pretend play.

Building/Blocks: in this learning center students play requires fine and gross motor skills. Blocks enhance children’s problem-solving abilities, mathematics skills, and language. Students often work together to construct in this center so it is very important for social skill development.

Math/Science: this center allows students to explore their physical environment in a meaningful way. Exploring science and math materials help promote critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and social and emotional skills. As students work with the materials they are developing hypothetical ideas and work through them to a conclusion.

As the students grow and develop while working in the different learning centers, the centers will also undergo changes.  This allows us, as teachers, to differentiate our teaching to meet the varying needs of our students, and also to reach PNA’s goal of helping them become exceptional learners and independent thinkers.