Learning Centers Kendra Gubernick

SOE115: Psychology of teaching and learning Kendall College

Overview of the Strategy Learning centers are a purposeful way of teaching different subjects and learning areas. “Learning centers capitalize on children’s natural need to explore because they are given the chance to gain experiences by trying out their own ideas in a hands-on way” (Extension, 2017). Through the materials used in learning centers children are provided with social, emotional, physical, and mental stages of development. The teacher is also given a chance to observe each students as well as work with them in groups, and one-on-one. Each learning center offers a learning experience and positive developmental skills.

I chose to research this strategy because I use learning centers in my classroom all the time. I wanted to learn more about what learning centers offer to my student's development.

Source # 1 Learning centers help children organize and classify information. According Carolyn Tomlin, children should be able to move independently throughout the area and work. As the children get older the learning centers expand with their development and curriculum. The materials used in each learning center can provide social, emotional, physical, and mental stages for development (Tomlin, 2008). There are several different centers you can set up around your classroom. Each learning center offers new and meaningful experiences. Dramatic Play: develop , comfortable feelings about themselves. Art center: provides a way to express human behaviors and experiences. Language Art: develop language, reading, writing, speaking skills Science Center: learn to ask questions and find answers, methods of discovery. Reading center: foundation for language arts, children master skills and develop a relationship between oral language and written symbols. Block center: learn basic skills and creative outlets. Math center: independent learning activates, games that encourage learning. Provides children with the opportunity guessing, measuring, adding, etc.

Source # 2 The second source I found gave a great overview of how to plan your learning center. “Establishing the centers requires initial planning, work, and possible expense” (eXtension, 2017). Placing each center in the right area has its benefits. For example you don’t want to place a reading center next to the music center. Through learning centers teachers can establish new lesson plans that interest the students.

This article also gave many advantages to learning centers: Classroom management. Engage in hands-on activities Allows observation Work with students one on oneDiscipline problems are reducedChildren get a better understanding of classroom rulesSupport children with resources as the learn Socialization skills

Source # 3 The third source I found provided information on why learning centers are important and gave many example of different learning centers to incorporate into our classroom and how they help children with their development. Learning centers allow children to learn, grow, and internalize through interactive experiences with each other, with adults, and with real materials that require all their senses (Magnuson, 2010). When creating your learning centers you need to take your time, have diversity, open ended activities, and hands on activities. “Learning centers are areas within the classroom where students learn about specific subjects by playing and engaging in activities” (Magnuson, 2010). With the help of learning centers children learn strategies, skills, decision making skills, learn to cooperate, share with others, problem solving all though play.

Magnuson also goes over the importance of the teachers job during learning centers. Its not just time for us to sit back and relax. As a teacher during this time we observe, listen, ask question, show what to do when help is need, support first attempts, participate in activities, talk and have discussion with students, help students make discoveries and connections, and share our knowledge and expertise(Magnuson, 2010).

Analysis To begin with after reviewing all three articles I found on learning centers, I noticed that they were written by teacher’s and their experience.

After looking over my three sources on learning centers I came to realize they all discussed the importance and how they help with children's development. When plaining your learning centers in your classroom we need to take time in the plaining process to make a a difference. The authors of each article talked about the materials that we use in during learning centers and how the help contribute to the development and of our students socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Another thing all three articles talked about was what centers we could use in our classroom and what each center provides for our students development.

I found that the use of learning centers in our classroom just does not offer our students ways to develop and improve but us as teachers as well. Learning centers have many advantages to them.

Connection Learning centers are away to learn new things and old. Through the use of materials, play, and etc. children develop and grow socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Each different learning center provides new developments for children; from self-esteem, self-efficiency, positive attitude, to their environment, and more. Learning centers are not just for students but the teacher. During this time teachers are able to observe their students, work hands-on, one-on-one, and etc. All these concepts come in hand with educational phycology by the way learning centers help promote a child’s development, growth, and learning.

Communication with the family If I had a parent approach me about the importance and my use of learning centers in my classroom, I would take the time and explain to them all the information I have learned. I would respond by:

First explain to the parent what learning centers are. How I use them in my classroom to help expanded on the curriculum each week. I would then go on and explain how through all the different centers used, children are provided with new skills. For example Dramatic play, “children identify with models, roles and unique situation in their environment” (Tomlin, 2008). They also develop positive, comfortable feelings about themselves. Each center provides a new learning experience. Lastly, I would provide them with some articles on learning centers so they could get a better understanding.

CONCLUSION In conclusion, learning centers are so much more then children going form one place in the classroom to play to another. Learning centers take a lot of time and planning. They promote many learning experiences for children’s growth and development. As children grow so do the learning centers. During this time of the day ”children learn certain strategies and skills, such as making decisions, carrying out plans, cooperating and sharing with others, and problem-solving, in order to play and learn independently” (Magnuson, 2010). At the same time teachers are able to take the time and observe, listen, and more. In all, a good learning center provides children with time to cultivate ideas, a place to preserve it, and opportunities to share with peers and other adults (Tomlin, 2008).

References Tomlin. R. C. (2008). Learning Centers Create Exceptional Learning Environments. Retrieved form: http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com

Extension. (2017). Using Learning Centers in Child Care. Retrieved from: http://articles.extension.org

Magnuson. A. (2010). Learning Centers, Part 1: Why they’re important. Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts/allie-magnuson/learning-centers-part-1-why-theyre-important/