New preschool 2 year old teacher...

Question

Any suggestions on how to set up a classroom for young 2's and what to do with them during the day? = )

Answer 1

Uhh..  change diapers, naps, snacks, and require human behavior in so far as possible with two year old.  Be fair and consistent in so far as you are able.  You will learn from each other.

Answer 2

2 year olds are past infancy and they can begin into the transition of "preschool".  The best toddler classrooms I saw was those with almost a replica of the preschool classroom.  Things were smaller, there wasn't as many items out for "free play" because they are still learning to put things in their place...but experiencing this in the toddler classroom sure makes the transition into preschool a lot easier on the kids and the teachers.  Centers I've seen:

Library:  short book shelf with a few books...front cover out...board books mainly.  Can even have a couple baskets of books.  Soft and quiet toys, soft seating...a flannel board is really nice.

Sensory:  at this age there should be a "closable" sensory table/tub.  The ones with the shelf underneath are nice because you can set just a few toys out for use.  Otherwise you can put a few "tools" in a dishtub.  If you are going to have water routinely...then you want a rubber mat or something similar to keep the water contained...because it will make a little mess as they learn to work with it.  Water/paint smocks.  It's nice to change sensory material each week or 2 weeks.

Art table and shelving:  basics should always be out.  Just not as much as preschool.  Large chunky crayons (that would not be considered a choking hazard) and paper (remember to put only a little out at a time and replenish) should be out all the time.  In the toddler room, usually we put the art and the fine motor materials together at one center.  They have no concept of how much they are using.  If you have a wall nearby...it's nice to have large area covered with paper for large marking.  This makes a nice spot to put contact paper sticky side out for collages.  2 year olds CAN learn to put their material away.  The Little Tykes easel...with the magnet/dry erase board on one side and the chalk board on the other side works okay for 2 year olds as well.  You can purchase toddler easels though.

Large motor area:  Toddlers still need to move...there should be some "soft play" equipment in the room.  This is a good place to have a safety mirror.  Toddlers are still self-centered and are still learning about themselves so a mirror is a necessity in my opinion.

Block area:  soft blocks and etc.  No table necessary...a rug is needed though to not only keep the children off of that tile floor but also to keep the noise level down.  This is a good area for rythmn instruments if you are planning on having them out for free play.

Dramatic play area:  small play table and chairs, a toddler size kitchen set.  It's nice to rotate what is in dramatic play but it's hard to find things their size...most of it is preschool size...but you can find toddler size kitchen set and since this is "practical living" it's a great benefit to the children.  Dress up clothes are a help as well.

Circle time area:  usually shares a place with another center... having a calendar, cd player, etc.  I'll put in here that it's good to have a visual about what is "closed".  If you are sharing a center with circle time you must have material, or something similar, up over the shelving units so that the children are distracted and start pulling stuff off the shelf.  Add a little literacy by adding a "closed" sign.  I used velcro and then I can put it up or take it off.

Manipulative center:  depending if you need another table...this can be done without a table...right on a rug.  But I find that most toddler rooms need at least two, child-sized tables and appropiate chairs...and ones usually at art and the other is usually at the manipulative center.

I believe that a rocker is still necessary in the toddler room...you'll need to check the licensing requirements.  

I can't really tell you how to set up the classroom because I don't have your floor plans :-)  But here are some tips:

*  Dramatic play, blocks, and large motor area should be near each other because they are loud.  It would be inappropiate to put the library/cozy corner between any of those.  

*  you can get double shelving units and have one side as art and the other size as manipulatives.  Remember art needs to be near the sink.

* cubbies should be labeled with child's picture and name...and near the doorway.  

* ideally, it's nice to have some furniture...cubbies, or a shelving unit, within a few feet from the door to block children for making a run for the door.  Remember doorknob covers if this may be a problem.

* label your shelves and your containers so that children know right where to put them (and adults too).

* display children's art, basic concept charts, tactile displays, pics of the children and their family, pics of multicultural children and families all at their eye level.  Laminate everything possible for durability.  These children touch everything and often have their fingers in their mouths so you want to be able to wipe down as much as possible.

* a simple circle time rug with shapes is very nice to help toddlers learn their "space".

* if you use cots in the classroom for naps...if they have to be stored in the classroom...consider purchasing the ones that have the extra "play sides" so no space is wasted in your classroom.

* remember to set up the classroom in a way that children can go running the full length.

* a visual schedule is very helpful for this age and will help immensely with behavior management.

* Check out www.discountschoolsupply.com or www.lakeshorelearning.com...have them send you a catalog.  It will give you a nice idea of what is out there and what you can use in your classroom.

* I think toddler room teachers are the best at switching out toys...you have to do it frequently in this classroom.  1 reason is because you can't have as much out...and number 2...you want to keep the interest high.

As for your schedule:

At arrival there should be something out for the children to do, if they wish...usually at the art table. Something like playdough.  This age, at the begining of the year, isn't use to having to make play choices.  Everything has been right there for them.  So this is a new experience for them...so having something out to begin with helps the transition.

You'll want to remember that every activity planned must be short...and the "outcome" must happen quickly or they will lose interest.  Also keep in mind that it's the process...not the product.

You'll want at least 2 short circle times.  A mornign with with a good morning song, a story, a fingerplay or two.  Also an afternoon one...before nap time to help them calm down...maybe after nap if necessary.

Free play-where the children make their own choices.  Remember at the beginning of the year you will have to teach how to put everything back before getting something else out.  So only have a few things out at each center.  As the year progresses you can add more.

Outdoor and large motor time.  If you can't get outside...be sure to do something inside.  This is SO necessary for this age.

A music and movement time each day is very benefitial as well.

Good luck!

Answer 3

make sure everything is nontoxic also make sure that you have everything at their eyelevvel and have a themed based curriculum planned out. like art activities and outdoor play wat they are having for breakfast, lunch and snack. ect....

Answer 4

have little tables n chairs

make sure u hav alot of toys for them to play with

make sure they take there naps after they play with eachother n as

they play n associate make u sure u check to see if there ok

uh make the classroom look as if it were a little playhouse with kiddie posters on the walls n stuff like that

Answer 5

As for furniture you will need a small table with small chairs, a change table, bookshelves, a nice rug for them to play on, different centers like a doll center, a sensory station etc., A bulletin board is a nice way to display their artwork in the class. You will want to have an area where you can keep the children's belongings such as their shoes, changes of clothes and art work to take home. An art cabinet and other cabinets where you can store items that you want out of their reach is really good. A tv and dvd player and stereo system are good for rainy, too hot, or too cold days when you can't go outside. You can play music and children's videos at those times.

As for activities, playing outside, making artwork, story time, structured play like having the children play at different centers and also non structured play are all good. Some great things are paints, and play-dough for quiet activities. Good toys with big parts like train-sets, and big duplo blocks are good. Puzzles, story books, and toy cars are good to have in the classroom. You may also want to purchase some stacking cots for the children to sleep in at nap time. Out door play is a must, children who get fresh air and play outside are better behaved, teachers and parents taking care of children with less bound up energy are also much more happy!

Edit*

Have circle time where you all sit and sing songs and read them stories.

Answer 6

I remember taking out a mat and sleeping for awhile. calms them down?

Answer 7

play with them, sing, they love the songs.  

Answer 8

Make sure the room is colorful.  Try putting pictures of zoo animals, fish, or buds on the walls. I woudl use a wipeable matt for the floor (AVOID CARPET).  My two year old loves music, they love singing and dancing and rhyming.

For nap time, try ocean and water sound CDs (they really work)

Have a little of eveything b/c no tow children are alike.

Be sure to have building blocks, cars, flash cards, books.

And BUBBLES.  A bubble machine will calm down ANY group of children!

Answer 9

be sure to set up the room without a 'runway'.  create centers so that there isn't a large, long area for them to run.  kids love to run.  lol.  everything needs to be at their level, even pictures and decorations.  make sure they each have a cubby with their name/picture on it.  put pictures on the shelves to match what is on the shelf so they can get use to putting things away properly.  good luck.  i was never good with this age group.  takes a patient person for 2's.

Answer 10

Don't know where you work but you should have a curriculum to help you. Two year olds need lots of music and movement. Rule of thumb "The smaller the child the shorter the attention span" Which means about one minute per year.

Answer 11

I love 2 year olds! I'm a teen and I work as an assistant at a preschool!

First of all...make sure your classroom is very childproof. They get into everything! : )

Put lots of bright colors up on the walls and everywhere! They love colors!

What they like to do? Coloring is always a fun activity. They love playing with legos/blocks. Ring around the rosie and london bridges are always fun activities to do. foam dough....

Anything simple and creative...that's what they love. And puzzles are awesome too!  

Answer 12

I'd splitroom into areas---eg:

-Messy area-an uncarpetted or wipeable mat area where paint, glue, sand and water can be left out for kids to explore.

-Quiet area-well away from messy with cushions, blankets, books, teddies for children to snuggle and ust have a rest!

-Role play area-I'd say at this a home corner would be more appropriate-have kitchen layout, a small table, telephone,s play food, dress up clothes etc...something that reflects the home of most children.

-Floor play-a floor area with something like toy cars, animals, garage etc...chidlren at 2 wont usually like to sit for long so a floor area is a great open space that wont restrict them.

-A table top area with a game or puzzles or something-make sure its low level for safety.

-A space for group times-you wont have many of these with two year olds but if you do have an instrument session, PE time etc you'll need a safe place which also allows children who dont join in space to play safely in other areas.

-Coat peg area-nothing says "my preschool" better than having their own peg :)

Lots of low level displays that children can have their art work and photos of them displayed.

I think main things to consider are----ensuring coat area is new doors to outside play areas, messy play area near to sink area, quiet area away from doors as if they are open resting children dont want to get the draft!

Have a secure outdoor area with soft play, balls, ride on trucks, maybe a chalk board, a bench or tabel with books, colouring things etc, toys bricks and a little like garden if u have soace. (We have a sand pit with soil in it for our 'garden' it has tools and we often hide potatoes etc in it).

What to do during the day:

-FREE PLAY-lots and lots of freeplay-where they can choose where to go, what to do, who to be with! Have toys in labeled (by photos) or transparent boxes for self-choice.

-Maybe a quiet time either before the end or middle of day where children sit in quiet area snuggled up to adults and you can read storiews, have puppets, play simple pass-it round type circle games.

This allows them to rest and also to socialise.

-Snack bar rather than snack time-have an area set up and monitored by an adult where childrens own juice cup/milk carton etc are laid out-adult can sit at table with cut up fruit and veg which children can come up and have whenever they are ready. Chidlren are hungry different times of the day and they dont want to sit for long so a snack time is difficult but snack bar (doesnt have to be all session maybe have it open one hour/hour and half depending on size of class and staffing).

-Include time outdoors-run on the field, ball play in garden etc....its healthy, allows larger physical play and will wake the sleepy ones up :)

Keep a routine (have a visual timetable) as this will help children settle and feel they are incontrol/less anxious abotu the day!

Answer 13

I am a pre K teacher so my class is alittle older but I have raised (3) 2 year olds so I know your situation. Set up the class in centers(reading area,blocks,house area,easel,etc) but keep it open and free flowing if possible. that is such a great age to do sensory art. Finger puppets and songs are also great for this age! Let me know if you need ideas. I have been in the game for quite so time! Good Luck!

Answer 14

Lots of toys. Make it colorful, have an established changing table, with cubbyholes for the kids' supplies. Have a table, and sit at one place, while they sit around you. Somehow, visually block off the sleeping from play area. (They don't sleep if you dangle a toy in front of them.) Have a sleeping area set up. A fridge is good, and a microwave. Do not use communal supplies. Have parents supply everything. Milk, wipes, diapers.