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Classroom Organization Tips

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This is a great time to get your classroom(s) in order or simply makeover the environment. In fact, I believe that children learn best in an organized environment. I relate child’s play to shopping; when I go shopping on the weekends, I love to shop in an organized store.

If the store is not organized, I start to feel overwhelmed and most of the time, I leave the store. This is how a child feels when he or she is playing in a disorganized environment.

Have you ever watched a child wander throughout the classroom? Normally wandering children are looking for something to do or their minds  are so over stimulated from too many choices, that they have a hard time making a choice.

This is why it is vital that your classroom space is organized in a manner that makes it easy for children to choose materials.

Moreover, I believe that the classroom is a great marketing tool. In fact, if the classroom space is organized and is educational, it will increase your chance of a parent choosing your childcare program.

Here are Eight Ways to Makeover and/or organize your classroom space :

1. Label Toy containers with words and pictures

2. Be sure that play areas are labeled with center signs (for a clearly defined space)

3. Use area rugs to define play areas

4. Require that children pick-up toys as they play. This prevents the classroom from looking like a tornado came through it.

5. At the end of the day, re-organize centers, so that when children return the next day, they will see what an organized environment looks like.

6. Be sure that everything has a place and remove clutter. (Too many toys, will overwhelm the children)

7. Have a system to rotate materials every other week; to prevent the children from getting bored. You really only need 6-8 basket of toys on one shelf.  If it looks cluttered to you, it will be overwhelming to a child.

8. Arrange books on the book shelf in a manner where you can see the front of the book and throw away damaged books. This really entices a child to choose a book from the shelf.

I challenge you to get started today, because children learn best in an organized environment! Feel free to share your thoughts and organization ideas. Check out this article: Get Organized! Preparing Your classroom for Learning.

Shiketa

Be sure to check out the Curriculum Club and Grab Your Free Lesson Plans! Also, for more quality child care tips, be sure to register for the Child Care Business Owner ” Business Makeover” Teleseminar.

Category:

Business Management, Child Care Center, Envrionment, Family Child Care, preschool

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3 Ways to Create a Literacy Enriched Environment in Your ChildCare Business

Our nation is facing an issue of epic proportion and of critical importance.

It is an issue that affects our economy, reduces the competitiveness of our

workforce and challenges our highest ideals.

The issue is America’s early childhood literacy crisis.

~LUME Institute

According to Emergent Literacy, “Literacy skills are promoted through an environment rich in print and writing materials. Classroom centers may include reading center, writing center, art center, and computer center.”

Today I am going to share with you 3 ways to create a Literacy enriched environment for the children in your childcare business:

1. Labeling

Labeling Containers and equipment in the classrooms with words and pictures is a great way to introduce children to new words. Moreover, Labels may also serve as a guide when toys are being put back in their place.

2. Well Stocked Reading Center(s)

Be sure to provide children with a variety of board books, magazines, predictable books, and books with repetitive themes. Also, only display books that are in good condition. Moreover, be sure to add pillows and bean bags to make the reading center a cozy place to read.

3. A Literacy Enriched Writing Center

Having a well stocked writing  center in the environment is a great way to inspire children to practice writing letters, number, words, shapes and experiment with a variety of writing materials. Be sure that you have lots of paper, magnetic alphabet letters, alphabet stencils, a word wall nearby, pencils, markers, ink pens,etc.

For more literacy ideas, check out this great website: http://www.lumeinstitute.org/publications/america%E2%80%99s-early-childhood-literacy-gap/

With Literacy in mind!

Shiketa

Be sure to subscribe to my weekly Child Care Business eNewsletter. Also, for more Quality Curriculum tips, check out the Family Home Child Care Empowerment Club or the Quality Child Care Center eClub.

Category:

Curriculum, Family Child Care, preschool, Quality Care

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