Great kindergarten classrooms are alive with activity. Children should be engaged in a number of activities. Watch to see how well they cooperate with each other, since this is a sign of positive guidance. Children should have access to a variety of sensory materials, like modeling dough, paints or blocks, to keep them busy. There should be no need for them to wander around the classroom with nothing to do. At this age, curiosity should be encouraged and extended periods of sitting quietly kept to a minimum.
Look around the room. A great kindergarten classroom should double as a children's art gallery. Walls should proudly boast students' artwork or stories for all to see. Presenting class work and accomplishments gives children a sense of pride and self-importance. It also breeds more creativity. Displayed work need not be error free or perfectly executed; what matters is that the teacher has allowed the children to be creative.
Children need variety. A day in a good kindergarten classroom is filled with opportunity and enriching projects. There may be live animals or plants to explore, cookies to be baked, or books to read. Expect kindergartners to experience it all. They should work on different projects throughout their day -- though not all children at the same time. Teachers should be available to work with them not only as a whole group, but individually or in smaller groups.
Fresh air and exercise are essential to a child's well-being. They need to be able to run, jump, yell and develop their gross motor skills in an outdoor environment. A good kindergarten will have an enclosed outdoor play space for socialization. Kids should be expected to play outside for portion of every day, depending on the weather. Outdoor free play should be considered a valuable component to the kindergartner's learning experience.
The proof is in the smile. Students should be happy about being at school. This is evident by the smiling, giggling and chatter you'll see in a well-functioning kindergarten classroom.