How should activity areas and learning centers be used in early primary grade classrooms? Give examples of types of learning centers you might find in these classrooms. How do these activity areas and learning centers differ for older children than for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Based on the types of learning that happens in early primary grades, learning centers are typically used more often than activity centers. The learning centers are often focused on academic skills such as math and literacy. Other learning centers might focus on art and music. An example of a learning center in the early primary grade might include a small grouping of desks where children can work in groups completing art projects or shared-reading projects. Other areas may include art supplies or musical instruments where children are free to explore various types of creative drawing, painting, or creating music. These types of activities/learning differ from younger-aged children’s activity areas and learning centers in that a stronger focus is given to academic areas (e.g., math, science, reading, and language) and involve exploring, reasoning, and problem-solving on a higher level. Most activities also encourage children to initiate their own learning, while also requiring cooperative learning with other students.