A toddler is interested in hands-on activities that also enable her to develop her senses. She paints, plays with clay and colors pictures, so art centers are ideal for a toddler classroom. Provide easels, painting supplies and smocks, as well as construction paper and card stock in various colors. Pin a clothesline across a wall and add clothespins so she can hang her work to display and dry. Moving parts and interactive games encourage her to interact with other children in the classroom. Set up a table with spinning wheels, bolts, nuts and pegs that she can twist and turn as she discovers basic mechanics. Another center featuring games, puzzles and building blocks provides opportunities for group interaction. Large foam blocks work well in building forts and play houses tall enough to enter. Smaller plastic blocks develop fine motor skills, while puzzles and games encourage communication and concentration. Sensory centers foster discovery and development. Fill bowls with seeds, sand, rocks and leaves for toddlers to explore the natural environment. A water station with containers, funnels and tubing teaches the fundamentals of science.
A toddler loves to pretend he is an adult. Provide a space equipped with household items for him to use while role playing. Select furniture made for small children to re-create a living room. Collect recyclable products, such as empty cereal boxes, egg cartons and plastic food containers, which are easily replaced and inexpensive for the kitchen area. Add whisks, wooden spoons, spatulas, strainers and measuring cups to the kitchen items. Ask parents to donate old clothes and work uniforms to supply the wardrobe for playing dress-up. Change out the items of clothing to coordinate with each season. Provide occupational supplies, such as stethoscopes, aprons, plastic police badges and firefighter hats, to the apparel.
Reading aloud to a toddler promotes an understanding of the alphabet and stimulates her imagination. Arrange one area especially for reading time. Lay down a soft carpet, large cushions or bean-filled bags for lounging. Line the walls with bookshelves filled with books that are age-appropriate with vivid illustrations. Include both short stories and board books featuring complex stories. Provide reading material that reflects different cultures, ethnicities and physical abilities. Stimulate creativity with fairy tale stories and fantasy books. Decorate the space with alphabet letters, storybook characters and simple words with coordinating images. Set up a felt board to tell stories using images rather than books. Have a headset and audiobooks for toddlers to listen to stories. A table with paper, pencils, crayons and markers lets the children practice writing.