Design an activity center. Childcare practitioners have found that learning is a matter of discovery. An "open structure" room allows children to choose from a variety of activity stations. Activity stations should consist of areas for reading, projects, blocks and active play. This design uses the natural impulses and interests of children to their best advantage. The children learn to make smooth transitions in their own time.
Plan out the location into two regions, wet and dry. To do this, use areas such as the entry area, and messy activities like a sand and water table, in a practical fashion.
Set boundaries and stick to them. The boundaries should not interfere with supervision. Carpet or similar objects can be used to define visual boundaries. Physical boundaries can consist of walls or bookcases. A room with well-defined paths and boundaries will help children move quickly from one activity to another. Make sure your paths don't lead to dead space. Children in a dead space tend to get distracted by counterproductive activities. A teacher can successfully avoid creating dead space by placing a low activity center in the middle of the room. This causes a natural path to form around it and leads to other activities.
Give children the freedom to explore. It is important to encourage the children to move freely and allow them to mix and match. The way to create an inspiring room is to organize it from a perspective that encourages kids to experiment. Cubbies are a favorite of children when it comes to exploration.
Create ample storage. This is one of the most important things for a Pre-K room to have. Storage should be considered early on in the layout process. Good storage is located close to the point of use, clean and understandable to every user, safe and able to comfortably hold and display the contents when opened.
Encourage the mood of each activity center. The way a room is organized affects children's behavior. Tight spaces may lead to frustration and aggression. Reducing clutter will maximize each area to the fullest. Teach the children how to respect each area's mood. The reading center should be quiet; the art area should be imaginative and fun. The children will take cues from the area to regulate their behavior.