Setting Up the Preschool Classroom

This book is designed to help you arrange and equip your preschool classroom or centre, including the outdoor play space. The opening chapter explains the principles of designing active learning settings. Following this, the book describes specific interest areas (play spaces) in detail. Included are individual chapters on the art, block, house, toy, reading and writing, computer, music and movement, sand and water, woodworking, and outdoor areas. The concluding chapters discuss additional equipment and teacher resources as well as sample classroom designs. Whether you are planning an entirely new learning environment or making improvements to an existing space, this guide will help you think through the design process and choose appropriate equipment and materials.
For each play space, the book provides
• Detailed equipment and materials lists with recommended quantities
• Suggestions for space arrangement and storage
• Recommendations for essential (“must have”) and additional “(“add later”) materials
• Adaptations for settings that include children with special needs or that serve seniors along with young children.