How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers

Note: If you teach toddlers, I discuss centers time with that age group in this post: How to Set Up and Manage Toddler Center Time You have figured out your preschool schedule. You have set up your classroom. Now you are wondering about setting up your preschool learning centers. Well, good, dear teachers! I’m glad you are here, because that’s what I’m going to help you with today. 👉 Scroll down and get your free centers time planner!

At what part of our day is centers time? How long is it?

Our learning centers are offered during free choice centers time. It is one of the first events of our day, after our morning meeting. It is 60 minutes long and the preschoolers can be at any center they wish, for as long or as short as they want. I feel strongly that with 3 year olds, they get time to explore areas they are interested in. Others have expressed concern that some children might only stay in certain centers if we don’t rotate them from center to center. If we do see a child staying away from certain centers, we might encourage him to come try something else. (Encourage, not pressure.) CLICK HERE to learn more about our first day of school!

Science Center

This is our discovery and exploration area. It usually relates to that week’s theme. We provide books, photos, and materials that can be touched and held. Further reading: How to Set Up a Preschool Science Center Further reading: Preschool Art at the Easel Further reading: Easy Process Art Activities Further reading: Dramatic Play Activities Further reading: Fun Block Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers Further reading: Big Collection of Sensory Table Activities for the Entire Year Check out our shop for printable table activities! Further reading: 30 Light Table Activities Further reading: Creating a Writing Center in the Preschool Classroom Related post: 15+ Playdough Learning Activities More: Cooking with Preschoolers – Easy Recipes!

Click on the photo below for your free pdf download:

 

Toddler and Preschool Activity Plans

Looking for an entire year’s worth of learning activities? We’ve done the work for you! I have helped create each of these packets, along with a team of talented educators and homeschoolers. Easy to follow activity plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners. Every theme comes with recommended reading lists, songs, material lists, and more. Click on the graphics below for more details. Toddlers (18 – 36 months): Preschool (3 – 5 Years):

How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 34How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 27How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 24How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 20How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 70How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 44How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 74How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 50How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 81How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 78How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 51How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 68How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 37How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 81How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 22How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 12How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 28How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 4How to Set Up Your Preschool Learning Centers - 56