Turn WORK into PLAY with learning centers!
Math – paper, pencil, adding machine tape
coupons, calculator, play money
graphs, posters
counting books, shape books
Science – charts, research books, identification books
science magazines, labeled collections
clipboard, pens, notebook
Dramatic Play – shopping list, chalk board
memo pad, pens, pencils
magazines, books
puppets, stuffed animals, babies to “read” to
junk mail, menus, catalogs
class phone book
Blocks – paper and markers to make labels and signs
blue prints, sticky notes
photos of different homes and buildings
block book, alphabet blocks
Art – Rebus direction charts, labels for materials
variety of art media, markers, paint
Table Toys – play dough, letter cookie cutters
play dough book, sewing cards
letter beads to string
paper, hole punch, scissors
letter stencils, colored pencils
Sand and Water – magnetic letters (hide in sand)
ping pong balls (write letters and
words on them and children
scoop with fishnet)
Playground – letter hopscotch
beach balls with letters
chalk board for keeping score
giant chalk to write with on sidewalk
Here's a poem I found on a paper plate after I did a workshop ten years ago. Sad, but true today!
By Yolanda Richey, 2016
Don’t take away my childhood,
Let me run and play.
Don’t take away my childhood,
Let me learn in my own way.
Give me songs to sing
Give me time to dance.
Don’t take away my childhood,
I only get one chance -
To be a little child
Who loves to learn each day.
So don’t take away my childhood
Because my work is PLAY!
