Other helpful visuals in preschool classrooms

     The types of visuals that would be helpful for a preschool classroom will vary depending on the class.  There are a few that I tend to use with every class, and those are the ones I will talk about in this post. 

    We will start with one of my favorites . . . Line helpers

   This is just one example.  I have seen teachers get very creative with line helpers and change them with the monthly theme and there are only a few things to remember when creating them.

1.)  They should be evenly spaced (So that the children won't touch)
2.)  There should be enough "feet" for each child
3.)  The rules about where to stand are explained to the children before you begin using them

   Preschool aged children are still learning to stand in line.  Line helpers give children a visual for where to stand, and if you space them far enough apart, you don't have to worry about the inevitable "so and so touched me!"  As a bonus, these line helpers can also serve as a way to practice colors.

Closing Learning Centers/Areas

    As a rule, you will want your classroom to have very few off limits areas.  If your classroom is open and accessible to the children, you will find that you significantly reduce the amount of "no's" you use.  That said, I have worked in classrooms where the block area doubles as the circle time area.  Some of the kids we work with are more easily distracted than others so covering up the area is a gentle reminder that it is off limits.  

  

     In the picture about, this teacher has closed off a large area of the classroom with a shower curtain and placed a stop sign as an extra reminder.  Generally, you will just want to explain the purpose of the covers using kids friendly language and consistently enforce the rules.  (eg: The curtain means no block play during circle.  If anyone goes under the curtain, move the child away from the blocks)

     Variations:  In the example above shower curtains and command hooks were used to block off a large area.  For small areas, I have found cutting out fabric to size and attaching it with double sided velcro (the kind with a sticky back) is more practical.

Mealtime

 

     I have found place mats at meal times can serve two practical purposes.

1)  Spill prevention (well, more like reduction)

2)  Ideal seating arrangement

    Maybe it is just me, but it seems like I always have a little one who likes to live on the edge . . .with their cup of milk :-)  These handy place mats remind little ones to put those milk and juice cups up at the top of the plate.  

     The place mats can also be labeled and you can separate kids who aren't the best meal time companions.  Partner kids who have great self help skills at meal time with kids who are still developing those skills.

     Bonuses: When these mats are laminated they can be sprayed with sanitizer and reused.  And when they are labeled, you can used them to work on name recognition. 

Next:  Schedules in the preschool classroom

Have a question about a visual for preschool classrooms or a topic you would like to know more about?  Post a comment and I will respond here