Wesley Day School
Classroom Learning Centers
Our preschool classrooms feature engaging learning centers that support hands-on, play-based learning. Children explore areas such as blocks, dramatic play, art, literacy, math, and sensory materials, building skills in problem-solving, creativity, language, and social development. Centers are thoughtfully planned by teachers to reflect children’s interests and developmental needs, encouraging independence, confidence, and a love of learning.
Circle Area
In the circle area, the children are given many opportunities to share their thoughts, experiences, and questions. The teacher assists children in time concepts (months, weeks, and days), math concepts, counting, sequencing, and the weather for the day. Unit info is shared with children through stories, pictures, hands-on objects, puppets, finger plays, other various materials, and good child-initiated discussion. The children will find out the 'helpers' of the day. This provides for taking turns, being a leader, and taking responsibility. The children's names are printed and displayed to encourage name recognition.
Discovery Table
Each class has an area in their room called the discovery table. At this table, a child can explore on his or her own. Many items can be observed and a magnifying glass is always available. Children can explore seasonal ideas from nature, handle an assortment of keys and locks, or observe rocks under a magnifying glass. Also, they can experiment with magnets, kaleidoscopes, and sink/float containers. The discovery table changes as the children’s interests change or units change.
Manipulative Center
Each classroom has toys with small parts that require fine motor skills to assemble and disassemble them. Skill is involved to connect the various shapes and sizes of the toys. Some of our manipulative materials are Duplos, Legos, Constructs, Bristle Blocks, and puzzles. The fine motor skills used to do these activities are needed to hold and control writing utensils. Creativity is also fostered in the center. The children assemble the variety of toys to represent other items in their environment. The children are strengthening their small muscles will having a wonderful time using their imaginations!
Block Center
Blocks are among the most important toys of inventive nature available to children. By manipulating blocks, young children understand the meaning of size, shape, length, weight, volume, capacity, and balance. Children use blocks to symbolize other objects. Language development takes place as they talk amongst themselves about what they are building. Legos, cardboard bricks, and constructs are other building devices that have been added to the block center.
Family Life Center
This area includes dress-up clothes and accessories, mirrors, a child-sized stove, refrigerator, sink, baby beds, dolls, and a small table and chairs. Cabinets are stocked with dishes and cooking utensils, and the chest and clothing rack are filled with baby dolls and dress-up clothes. As children engage in dramatic play, they practice social skills and communication while exploring their understanding of everyday adult roles. Fine motor skills are strengthened as children button, zip, and manipulate clothing and accessories during play.
