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Learning Centers, Part 1: Why They're ImportantBy Allie Magnuson on September 24, 2010

Kindergarten was created as a place to emphasize the development of the whole child. Now, however,emphasis has shifted so much to academic development, at the expense of emotional, social, and physicaldevelopment, that we often forget how important these are.

Kindergarten was created as a place to emphasize the development of the whole child. Now, however,emphasis has shifted so much to academic development, at the expense of emotional, social, and physicaldevelopment, that we often forget how important these are. However, your classroom learning centers,provided that you implement them right, can be a perfect place to promote these areas of growth in youngchildren.

In Part One of this series, I will tell you why learning centers are important and give examples of how mystudents benefit from them.

In Part Two, I'll discuss center management and rules and routines.

In Part Three, I'll share specific center ideas for your classroom.

Also, stayed tuned every month to see how I've set up my dramatic play center to incorporate literacy!

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Five­ and six­year­olds are natural, enthusiastic learners. Their impulse to ask questions, to investigate,and to explore, examine, and experiment, comes from a burning curiosity about the world and a desire tounderstand things. They learn, grow, and internalize through interactive experiences with each other, withadults, and with real materials that require all of their senses. For this reason, I spend careful time planningdiverse learning centers, with open­ended activities and hands­on materials, to use throughout the year.

Learning centers are areas within the classroom where students learn about specific subjects by playingand engaging in activities. Play is an active form of learning that involves the whole self. Even cognitivedevelopment, the primary focus in today's kindergarten, is achieved through child­initiated exploration anddiscovery.

However, children need certain strategies and skills, such as making decisions, carrying out plans,cooperating and sharing with others, and problem­solving, in order to play and learn independently. As theteacher, your job during center time is to:

ObserveListenAsk questionsShow what to do when help is neededSupport first attemptsParticipate in activitiesTalk and have discussions with your studentsHelp your students make discoveries and connectionsShare your knowledge and expertise

Do not take ownership of the activities; figure out what the children are trying to achieve and how best tohelp them achieve it.

Learning centers allow children to use up excess energy. In my Music andMovement Center, students are playing instruments.

Learning centers allow children to relax. Playing reduces tension because childrendon't have to worry about expectations. There is no pressure. In myBook Nook Center, students are having a carefree, enjoyablelearning experience.

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Learning centers allow children to take risks without fear offailure. Focus is on process rather than product. In my Cut andPaste Center, students are practicing fine motor skills.

Learning centers allow children to be themselves. They become more open and engaged, morecomfortable with their surroundings, and more natural. In my Reader's TheaterCenter, students are playing with puppets.

Learning centers allow children to express themselves. Inmy Art Center, students are painting at easels.

Learning centers allow children to be self­disciplined by exploring in their own way andintentionally directing their own learning. In my ComputersCenter, students are playing learning games.

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Learning centers allow children to be self­motivated by concentrating on things that interest themintensely. In my Writing Center, students are writing stories andstudying print.

Learning centers allow children to freely choose andexperiment with materials that they find interesting. In myABC Center, students are playing with tangrams and magneticboards to recognize letters and learn their shapes.

Learning centers allow children to investigate, explore, and discover things that are new to themand make connections with things that they already know. In my Science Center, students are growingplants and observing animals and insects.

Learning centers allow children to role play in order to understand and makesense of the real world and their personal experiences in it. In my Dramatic PlayCenter, students are playing house.

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Learning centers allow children to understand the social world, develop communication skills, andbuild relationships. In my Games and Puzzles Center, students are interacting while they are playing.

Learning centers allow children to see things through another person's point of view by workingtogether to create, construct, and build. In my Blocks Center, students are makingcities using blocks and Legos.

Learning centers allow children to be independent. In my Listening Center,students are silently enjoying a book on tape.

Learning centers allow children to face positive challenges and gain self­esteem through success. In my Math Center, students are sorting, sequencing, andcounting.

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Learning centers allow children to feel satisfied by completing purposeful activities. In my NamesCenter, students are practicing writing their names.

In sum, learning centers allow children to develop appropriately. Since mature, well­rounded growthmust include the whole self, children should be encouraged to play and explore their environment forselfish and social reasons as well as academic ones. When used for all of these purposes, learning centersare an important part of a balanced kindergarten.

Do you use learning centers in your classroom? Why do you feel they are important?

Have a playful weekend!

~Allie

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