![](https://kindiedays.loyalistic.com/Files/4/6/46ac8b02-8f7f-4202-a9ca-ad2b812ef75c/BLOG%20NEWSLETTER%20PICS(41).png)
How to make different play areas visible and interesting?
A classroom should have several different play areas where children get to learn, practise, investigate and of course - play. It is a good idea to build play areas so that with a glance you already see what is the point of that play area.
Making the play areas more visible you can use different types on pictures on the wall and floor. For example to car play area you can use black masking tape on the floor to make roads for the cars, hang pictures of different types of cars and vehicles on the wall and so on. For animal play you can use plastic grass on the shelves for animals to walk on, make fences for animals with colorful masking tape on the floor and again put pictures of different types of animals on the wall near the animal play area.
Toys should be located so that children can easily see and reach the toys. Toy boxes can be see through or if not, the toy boxes should have a picture of the toys that belong in that box. This also makes cleaning of the toys much easier - every toy has their own box where they belong to! Cars go to car box, blocks go their own box and so on... When toys are nicely arranged and cared for, children also learn to appreciate the toys and play areas more. It is important that teachers show example on how to play together with peers and how to clean after playtime is over.
Arranging learning areas by their type
Each learning or play area should be clearly defined by some boundaries that separate them from the other areas. The boundary can be anything that is visible enough for children to understand the limits of the play area. For example low storage shelves, bulletin boards, tables, chairs, carpets or even colorful masking tapes on the floor.
Similar learning areas should be located close to each other. For example the library and writing area need quiet space so they could be located to each other. On the other hand, block area and role play area need more space and allow children for louder play.
Some play areas can be "theme-based" so that they change over time according to the learning theme. For example is children are learning about farm animals, you could have farm animal play in the classroom, enhanced with pictures, related books and other little props.
Types of different play areas
- Block Center
A block area that houses a full set of wooden unit blocks arranged by size and shape in low open shelving that clearly demarcates where each block should be stored
- Math/Manipulative Center
A math/manipulative area that offers a variety of materials including puzzles, small blocks, Legos, games, tiles, geoboards, attribute blocks, and other hands-on materials that foster children’s thinking and problem-solving skills and support the development of math (counting, operations, numbers, measurement, geometry)
- Library/Reading area
A library area that contains a variety of books that are arranged by the areas of interest and difficulty level. The types of books should reflect the little readers who learn in the classroom.
- Writing area
A writing/drawing area that provides different types of paper, crayons/markers/pencils, and maybe stamps, stencils, alphabet charts... These materials can be combined with art materials (for younger children) or separated into their own area when children become more advanced in the literacy development
- Art area
An art area that offers different types of paper and drawing materials (crayons, markers, etc.), as well as paste or glue, scissors, stamps, watercolors, pastels, and tempera paints and brushes, an easel or table available for a large painting, collage and construction materials, and other assorted materials such as playdough and clay.
- Science area
A science area that includes magnifying glass(es), sand/water table, possibly animals (guinea pigs, snails, mealworms), and other natural items (eg. plants, rocks, shells, leaves...) depending on the time of the year, current topic, or interests of the children in the classroom. Within this area, children should be given time to experiment with measuring, counting, pouring, and making predictions.