Preschool Centers: Overview of How to Start & Questions Answered

Preschool Centers are the foundation of any good Preschool program. In this video I answer some questions I hear a lot, tell you how I start the year with centers, and what works for me.
In later videos, I will give you a peek into my classroom to actually SHOW you what I do.
There are a LOT of ways to do this, I'm just telling yu what works for me. I run a very child-centered classroom. It is ALWAYS about what is best for them...never about my plan or what I expect them to learn. Sometimes they take you into so many amazing teachable moments that wouldn't be available without flexibility. trust your heart and you'll do a wonderful job!

[@elizabethcagle6289]

I love the explanation of showing them how to use the centers. So many just release the kids and they never really learn how to use them properly with one another.

[@teachpre-k101]

YES! They need to learn how to play with other kids and in YOUR classroom. they need to learn that different places have different rules for play and interaction...it will be that way for the rest of their lives.

[@ms.k4526]

Can you explain more about the necklaces? I am interested in where you hang them and how they learn to use them.

[@teachpre-k101]

sure! I have 4 necklaces for my Dramatic Play, Blocks, & Sensory...plus 2 for Writing, and Puzzles/IPads/Games. I hang them on hooks adjacent to or in that area. If a child wants to play at that free choice center, they put on a necklace. Once all the necklaces are gone, that center is full. When a child leaves that area to go to a teacher center or to a different free choice center they hang up their necklace...thus creating a spot for a child who wants to play at that center. this helps for crowd control and keeps disputes to a minimum. My room is small. my center areas are small...this system really helps! I explain the necklaces from the beginning and we practice while we are practicing Centers. I also do a brief explanation each day while I talk about how we behave in centers. I tell them how many necklaces are at a center...then I ask "So how many kids can play there". They respond. I always model both correct and incorrect behavior...such as throwing a necklace on the ground as I leave that center...the kids love telling me what I did wrong. I go back and hang the necklace on the hook. I hope that answers your questions.have a great day!

[@user-ye5xu4ec8d]

Thanks for the video. I have a one question. Anchorage muni do not allow to use Name tags with Lanyard due to children chocking problem. Do you have any other suggestion(not using timer) how to well manage kids take turn to use centers?

[@teachpre-k101]

Yes, use the same badges and secure with a clip...the kids will get a little fine motor work and it solves the problem of the string! Also...as far as flowing through centers, if you let it be self directed-aside form teacher led small groups, it works out. Just go through procedures over, and over and over...I'll talk more about it in the coming days.