One common station used is for game playing. Students arrive at this center to find several or dozens of different games. The children are able to choose a game to play and they are able to choose whether to have a partner or two to play the game with. Children also may choose to have the entire group play a game. This activity teaches children how to make choices and the benefits of including others.
Another common center is an art center. At this station, children find multiple different types of art supplies that often include things like construction paper, markers, yarn, small craft supplies, glue and tape. Children are allowed to make the choice of what kind of art project they want to make. Sometimes teachers give suggestions to the students, but in the end, it is the child's choice what he makes.
Students are often given an opportunity for private or partner reading. With partners, each person chooses a book off of a shelf to read to the other person. This allows a choice for each child and also teaches children respect and patience towards other children if the partner chose a book the other partner is not interested in.
During play time, children are allowed to make lots of choices. Many classrooms have various types of activities children may choose from. Some of these include building things with blocks, playing with puppets, looking through science items such as rocks, leaves or fossils, playing with dolls or kitchen items and playing with Play Doh. When children are allowed free time for these activities, they are given only a specified amount of time. The children must learn to make good choices with the limited time and choose an activity that they will enjoy.