What to do with a loft in a Montessori preschool classroom?

Question

It is my first year teaching preschool. I have a Montessori 3-5 preschool classroom witha loft that drives me nuts. Right now I have it be a "quiet area" but the kids go up there and do everything but be quiet. They take all the books out. Hide under the table. Stack the bean bags on top of each other. One suggestion I got is turn it into a cultural area. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Answer 1

I like the ideas already listed. While reading a Bev Bos book, she mentioned simply putting pillow on the loft and making sure it is near the storytime/circle time area. That way, the children who didn't want to go to circle time or storytime could sit up there and listen.

Answer 2

A soft play area, we had loft in the nursery i worked in and it was something the owners looked into. It was going to be too expensive as the floor needed sorting or something. Wouldve been great though. They can run wild and have great fun!

Answer 3

a creative play area, castle, lighthouse, bow of a ship. things of that nature. you could have a monthly theme, camping, sailing, medieval play.