Learning centers in a day care classroom involve setting up several activities in different areas of the room. A balance of activities afford the children the opportunity to select a topic of interest. Ideas for day care learning centers include blocks, art projects, a sensory table, puppets, books and dress up areas. The majority of learning during center time takes place on an individual level, with the chance to interact with other kids as desired. Changing the options for center time each day keeps the children engaged in the activities.
Learning in small groups presents day care children the opportunity to work together to complete a task. This format also offers a more manageable number of kids for each teacher or assistant to supervise. A student to teacher ratio of six to one provides a workable group for most projects. This number allows each of the students to have the attention of the teacher without competing with others. Activities based on the current day care classroom theme connects the small group activities. Ideas for small group activities include scavenger hunts, board games, collaborative art projects or short skits to present to the rest of the kids.
Large group learning opportunities involve the entire class in one educational effort. Young children may have difficulty focusing as a large group for extended periods of time. Presenting short activities for the entire class provides them practice in working with large groups. Start with large group activities of about ten minutes in length. Increase or decrease the length if necessary to meet the needs of the children. Circle time or morning meetings present an ideal large group learning opportunity. Activity ideas for these times include calendar learning, weather charting, counting, alphabet activities, songs, finger plays, books or teaching sign language to the kids.
Young children develop both fine and gross motor skills over the course of several years. Physical activities assist in developing these skills. Group games that involve running and moving assist with gross motor skills. Ideas include tag, relay races and Duck, Duck, Goose. Activities that require students to manipulate small pieces improve fine motor skills or hand-eye coordination. Puzzles, building with blocks and using tongs to grab objects work well for this purpose. Dance and movement activities also help day care children learn to control their bodies.
Exploring beyond the walls of the day care center engages children in real life learning. Field trips present the opportunity to explore and learn about the world. Museums, science centers, zoos and aquariums top the list of typical field trip destinations. Trips to local businesses teach children about the community and the function each business serves. The neighborhood surrounding the day care center provides further exploration opportunities that are accessed by walking.