The kindergarten teacher uses number, letter, color, shape and sight word flashcards. A CD or mp3 player with plenty of children's music and learning CDs facilitate singing and dancing activities, teach listening skills and provide background music. A big, colorful calendar can help the children learn days of the week, months of the year and seasons. A large clock helps the students learn to tell time. Items for the science center include plants, bugs in jars, magnifying glasses, magnets and scales. Boxes of crayons, markers, paints and brushes, pencils, highlighters, paper of different colors and sizes, envelopes, age-appropriate scissors and glue are necessities in the art center. The teacher should stock plastic zipper bags, tissues, paper cups, paper plates, napkins, clothes pins, popsicle sticks and baby wipes for cleaning up small messes. A first aid kit is essential.
Fill the classroom with a variety of age-appropriate books, from fiction about favorite characters to nonfiction about animals, seasons, nature and occupations. Include read-aloud books and books the children can start reading on their own and they should reflect diversity and anti-bias. Set the books up in areas where the children can easily access them such as low book shelves and around bean bag chairs or the circle time rug. Books about the designated activity should be placed in each of the classrooms centers.
Use a colorful rug for circle time. Set up several small tables throughout the room with enough chairs for each child in the class. Set up cubicles along the wall for each child to store his personal belongings and cubicles with bins in them to organize small items such as counting manipulatives and writing supplies. A small refrigerator for juice, snacks and materials for cooking projects is essential. Use a white board for group learning and one or two bulletin boards for displaying monthly themes and children's artwork. Computers should be set up on small tables accessible to the students.
Fill the toy center with baby dolls, play dishes, puppets and dress-up clothes to encourage creative play. Playdough is another essential toy that fosters creativity, while items like LEGOs and puzzles help children develop fine motor skills. Provide large foam building blocks, trains and cars, toy cleaning equipment and telephones. A toy cash register with play money, a few small musical instruments -- such as flutophones, maracas and tambourines -- and a sand and water table provide opportunities for effective learning play.