Using the Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines: A Complete Curriculum for Three-Year-Olds

Ask Dr. Darling

Q. Dear Dr. Darling: I have tried to set up my classroom with learning centers, but I don’t have enough space for each center. What should I do?
– A family child care provider.

A. Dear Family Child Care Provider: Learning centers help children look at an area and understand what is available there. For example, children can see that an area with a shelf of blocks and a carpet is a block area. A shelf of puzzles next to a table designates a puzzle area.

In a small space, you can combine certain centers if necessary, such as science and art, math and writing, or blocks and circle time. Use carpets to mark off areas. Set aside one table for math and science, and one for art. You can do teacher-directed language activities at the math/science table in the morning and make that space available for math and science choices later in the day. You can keep musical instruments in the block area. Remember to label areas as well.

Your goal in setting up your classroom is to make it possible for children to be as independent possible as they choose what to investigate.

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