For the art section of the preschool classroom, you need to have art supplies ready for use. Materials such as paint brushes, paint rollers, feathers for painting, wall paper, contact paper, crayons, markers, newspapers (to cover floors), aprons (to protect clothes), coloring books, construction paper, easels and other art items for preschoolers. If there is a sink in the classroom, set up the art area nearby so that students wash off easily and do not track paint across the classroom. The art area creates a place for self-expression and helps foster imagination within children to make shapes, textures, designs and patterns using their artistic tools.
Teachers need to create science and exploration areas for preschoolers to learn about nature, such as rocks, animals, bugs and plants. Materials for this area include flashlights, test tubes, beakers, safety goggles, books of nature and animals, shells, coral, plant seeds, plants, fossils, mineral rocks, fish tank with goldfish, caterpillars, magnifying glasses, flowers and other items from nature appropriate for a preschool age group. The science and exploration area serves to teach kids a hands-on approach to learning about environments and ecosystems as well as developing observation skills.
A sandbox area that has water and sand experiences helps develop sensory recognition in children. Common materials in this section are squirt bottles, squirt toys, shovels, scoops, whisks, egg beater, water can, toy mills, sand molds, sponges, buckets, cups, sieves, sifters, funnels, tubing, pumps and baster. The water and sand area fosters small motor development and control as well as concept and language development as to what is empty and full, warm and cold or wet and dry.
An open space for a block area is ideal for preschoolers. Using building blocks and other architectural games, the block area encourages preschoolers to build shapes and structures. The blocks area also allows children to look clean up, as they put away the blocks or neatly organize them when finished building. Teachers develop activities for children to build using the blocks, like building a structure as tall as the child.
Often children like to play house. A dramatic play area for preschoolers sets up a space where children act out plays and acting games. A dramatic play area needs a small table, play kitchen area for toddlers, small furniture, dolls, cups, silverware, dinnerware, stuffed animals, vase and flowers, suitcases, purses, theme dress up clothes, dish towels, brooms, dustpan, lunch boxes, tool belts, tool box and other items typically found in the home or that create a dramatic theme. As preschoolers use the area, help them with ideas for small and large plays. In this area, children express their feelings and better understand the adult world through imitation. They learn symbols and voice control as well as develop an imagination.
An open space for reading and lounging is necessary in a classroom for preschool children. The library book nook provides a place for books, pillows, comfy chairs, puppets and stage, soft reading lights, soft music, bookcases, books, stuffed animals, poetic posters, blankets and tape recorder with earphones for audio books. The library book nook is a wide open space where napping also might take place. Teaching children how to read and interpret literature is another goal of the library book nook.