Literary learning centers contain materials necessary to promote reading, problem solving and listening skills. A literary center includes but is not limited to a child-size bookshelf, comfortable seating conducive to reading or looking at books, numerous literary works pertaining to the current weekly theme and some favorites of the children, a listening station with a CD player and headphones for recorded books and tools to work with alphabet letters.
Dramatic play is a staple in preschool classrooms as it enhances imagination while pretending to conduct everyday tasks. A dramatic play area would consist of various themed child-size pieces of clothing and accessories for dress-up play, materials for make-believe housecleaning, toys centered on caring for children, food play and items resembling any type store.
An art learning center promotes imagination and independence while creating works of art. The artistic learning center is comprised of various writing utensils such as pencils, markers and colored pencils; art supplies to include construction paper, handwriting paper, foam letters, glue, scissors, paper scraps for collages, wooden craft sticks, stencils and glitter; and painting materials including an easel, painting paper, washable tempura paints, water colors, paint brushes and preschool paint smocks to protect clothing.
Fine motor development it essential for preschool-age children in order to prepare them for more controlled handwriting. The activities in this center will strengthen finger and hand muscles needed for adequate use into later childhood and as an adult. Puzzles, connecting and wooden blocks, board games, stringing large beads, shaped counters, sorting materials and sewing cards should be available to help preschoolers develop their fine motor development activities.