Playroom Setup Ideas for Toddler Preschool Setting?

Question

I have a LARGE playroom I'm trying to setup up in a form of a teaching, learning enviromnet. Any advice or ideas?

Right now I"m thinking about buying a large bulletin board and putting up large letters and numbers to practice during the day.

I'm buying a entertain stand with built in bookcases for a reading area.

I'm trying to focus less on cartoon decor and more on learning......

Answer 1

Toddlers aren't in preschool.  

They are in daycare.

Answer 2

I would buy "Zoophonics" alphabet cards to put across the wall - this is the most effective way to teach phonics and ABCs.

You should have the room divided into "play" and "work". Learning is important, but kids at this age learn from play, too.

The work side should have lots of books, pillows to get comfy with while reading, puzzles galore, fish tank possibly, a rug or place to do "circle time", a calendar, a flag, a map, etc.

The play side should include things that encourage imaginative play - dress-up, kitchen, trucks, etc. Legos, gears, blocks, train table, water or sand table, some low tables for them to sit and draw, play with playdoh, or what have you.

Answer 3

Art, crafts, You can make a chalk board on the wall. They now sell a chalk board paint that when dries is a black board. Crafts are a good way to learn cause you have to cut out shapes and such you make things that begin with a letter that you choose for the day. Drawing. painting clay and stuff can be used. Dry erase boards are better then paper you can have the class play games that you can use it. Like around the world using abc's, and such. Need more help email me.

Answer 4

Make sure that you have a "cuddly" area, with soft things like bean bag chairs, teddy bears, soft blankets.  It gives a safe place to go and a place to put the child when they are tired or upset.  I would also maybe do the bulletin board more with colors and shapes, then numbers and letters.  Number and letters are better closer to school age, and shapes and colors are more age appropriate.  A "sensory" table is awesome for toddlers.  You can make one or buy one, but this is something you can use for water play, exloring new textures.... I work at a center and the toddlers put oatmeal, flour, water, noodles, etc in there to explore.  Books are good, but make sure that it is geared toward toddlers, easily accessible...  Hands-on activities are the best way for them to learn.  So let them paint, color, play with play dough....  Good luck.

By the way work and play are the same thing at this age, and they should not be separated... Playing is how young children learn....

Answer 5

I work in a preschool room and i would suggest you have the following areas in the room

home corner: have a kitchen, applicances,cutlery,etc

sweeping brush, dustpan, hoover and mop and bucket ( children just love to minic adults , especially in practical life activities.

Dolls, buggies, cots and changing mats.

work bench with drills hammers, saws

shop and trolleys

For a book corner: have sofas or floor mats for sitting.

Construction area, building blocks, stickle bricks etc

table top work: jigsaws, pegs and peg boards, threading and shape sorters.

Arts and crafts : painting easel, black board and white boards ( using whiteboard markers are an excellent activity with children and my group love it, the markers are washable , so ideal if it gets on their clothes, washes out easy) a variety of art supplies, and child sized tables and chairs!

waterplay and sandplay area: for toddlers i suggest equipment that are low to the floor so that the children can kneel down when playing and their is less chance of slipping and accidnets happening.

Dress up area : all children love make believe, have a child sized wardrobe with a variety of outfits, either bought ones or home made , most importantly have a mirror, so that the children can look at themselves, my group of children, love using the mirror and their can be quite a queue for the mirror.

I wouldnt expect any room to have all this equipment it is just a suggestion !

decor wise, i agree with abstaining from cartoon decor, not only does childrens interest in cartoons changing rabidly, but it can also lead to the children being over stimulated and distracted.

the ideal solution would be painting the room, taking into consideration the primary colours as a basis.

You can paint frames on large walls in a neutral colour and these areas can be used to house the countless art work that will be created!

i would refrain from using themes, such as cartoons, animal scenes or such like , instead stick to letters and numbers, and perhaps, painting the name of the different areas on the walls, the childrens art work would be much more pleasing to the eye of both the staff and parents.

parents want to see their their children art work not someone elses!

Answer 6

how about a play kitchen?and dishes.for playtime/

Answer 7

You need to set the room up in centers. All the art toys and materials should be together with smocks and baby wipes near by. Music center, etc.

Answer 8

Buy or paint a large world map on one wall.  Perhaps have some throw pillows or beanbags in reading area to encourage the kids to feel comfortable while they're reading.  An alphabet and color chart is age appropriate.  Kids love animals, if you want to add that to the decor.  Kids that age also love creating art...so an art's & crafts area is essential!

I would also recommend buying some soft gymnastics mats for kids to play on during rainy days.  Good luck & enjoy!

Answer 9

You should do the entire room in a pirate theme!