I set up learning "zones" in my classroom. All of the zones are free-choice areas. This means the children are free to choose when they would like to play in there and for how long. The materials in these zones can be used in whatever way the children want to (as long as they are being used sensibly and with purpose). I believe it is very important to have many free choice areas so that children are free to explore and socialise at their own pace within a safe environment. I like the zones to be child-friendly - I prefer them to be carpeted or to have rugs, and have child-sized shelving and furniture so that children can comfortably make their own choices about the materials they want to use. The zones I like to have are as follows
Book Corner - also doubles as the language corner for reading, music and show & tell sessions
Puzzle and Manipulative Corner - for puzzles, sorting games, matching games and other manipulative materials
Block and Construction Corner - for large building blocks and other construction kits such as lego, duplo, waffle bricks, popoids etc.
Dramatic Play area - I try 1 or 2 themes every school term.
Construction Table - for junk materials and boxes with PVA glue for children to glue together their own junk constructions
Interest Table - for items of interest such as felt boards and felt pieces or new items for children to play with that they haven't seen before. Sometimes it is a science table for items of interest on a specific topic.
Audio - Visual Table - a radio and headphones for children to listen to stories on cassette or play listening games |