An effective kindergarten classroom starts with good organization of the room itself. Classroom organization should evolve based on your teaching style and preferences. For example, if you wish your students to engage in a great deal of group work, you should arrange your desks or tables in clusters. Other popular desk configurations include a "U" formation for discussion as well as individual learning stations. Don't put all your effort into the desks, though; you should also personalize the rest of the room. Put some posters or artwork on the walls or add some character to the floor with some rugs.
The environment of the classroom is an important consideration. It is important because students tend to perform better when the environment has been adjusted to suit them. Have both bright and dim areas in the room using bookcases or other tall objects. Allow the children to move around the room at times, perhaps through establishing learning stations. Find out if the children want the room to be warmer or cooler and adjust the temperature accordingly -- as well as have them dress appropriately. Provide comfortable furniture, like padded chairs and pillows, in order to decrease the fatigue associated with sitting in hard, straight chairs.
While layout and environment are both concerns for a kindergarten classroom, managing that room is just as important. In essence, you should set some sort of schedule. This schedule should be flexible, allowing for changes when necessary. An example kindergarten classroom schedule might include 30 minutes of learning station activities, a demarcated sharing time and a snack time. Avoid whole-class activities that last longer than 20 or 25 minutes, as prolonged activity of this type will likely result in the children becoming restless. Suit your schedule to your teaching style, preferences and goals to be most effective.
Using effective teaching strategies will enhance the kindergarten classroom experience both for yourself and your students. The learning stations or centers described in earlier sections are effective strategies. They take a great deal of effort to properly set up, but the payoff is worth it. Such stations can include things like a construction center, a visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpture) center, a math center, a science center and a computer center. Centers should be positioned so as to engender socialization and sharing among students. Enhance learning by using appropriate props like pictures and models in these centers.