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Furniture and Equipment
The physical space sets the stage for children’s developmental learning. The contents must be durable,
functional, safe, versatile and arranged to provide an active learning environment with opportunities
for children to make choices and decisions. Providing child-sized furniture and equipment for group and
independent use, as well as adding diverse materials, aids in children’s emotional development. All these components,
arranged to create an age appropriate environment, have a profound effect on everyone who enters the space.
Active Play
Large muscle experiences provide not only physical development but also aid children in learning social
and problem-solving skills. Whether indoors or outside, children need a variety of durable, safe equipment
to practice skills involving balancing, climbing, pulling/pushing, jumping, hopping, catching, throwing,
kicking, and pedaling. The active play area should be safely enclosed and arranged so that activities do not interfere with
each other or obstruct the view of the caregivers.
Sand and Water Play
Provisions for sand and water play, both indoors and outdoors, should be available for children. This soothing
play adds elements of sensory experiences, cause and effect experimentation, and interaction with peers.
Tables, containers, and accessories should add a variety of possibilities to the play including cups, funnels,
and floating toys for water and digging and sifting tools for sand. An eye for safety is required, keeping in mind how the
materials will affect floors and clothing.
Block Play
Blocks are one of the most vital materials in an early childhood program as their unstructured nature provides
opportunities for open-ended manipulation, coordination and imaginative play. While children are learning
about size, shape, and balance with our kiln-dried, smoothly sanded, bevel-edge, hardwood blocks, they
develop social skills as well. Our sets contain more units and double units for greater play value (as noted in the
weight of each set) rather than more half units furnished by other school suppliers. Animal sets, family and career figures,
car sets, window and doors, and “see-thru” blocks all expand the imaginative play.
Pretend Play
Role-playing is a basic, important experience that deepens children’s understanding of the world and
develops skills that will serve them throughout their life. As children act out the roles of people in their
world, they work out problems and concerns. Child-size housekeeping and store play props help children
practice familiar situations, social relationships, language and problem solving. Role-playing costumes, dress-up clothes,
shoes, and hats are excellent enablers for imaginative play.
Math and Manipulatives
Besides the development of fine motor control, manipulatives cultivate children’s number concepts,
perception, eye-hand coordination, and give confidence through success in problem-solving. A large
variety of sequential skill levels are needed to continually challenge a classroom of developmentally, diverse
children. The materials should be at various levels of learning so children can practice emerging skills and scaffold to the
next level.
Literacy and Language Development
A print-rich environment along with supportive interactions between children and adults sets the stage for
quality literacy development. Vocabulary and language thrive in an environment where children’s thoughts
and words are valued. Print knowledge, story comprehension, and phonological awareness are enhanced through
the use of a wide selection of books, storytelling props, puppets, and writing materials. Books should be read to children on
a daily basis with the opportunity to re-read the materials as appropriate, or new books rotated for interest.
Art Experiences
Many varied, open-ended opportunities and materials allow children to express themselves creatively through
art. When they are allowed to expand their repertoire of skills including cutting, painting, gluing, kneading,
and caring for materials, they can create and represent their ideas and feelings in a visual form. Learning occurs in
the process of creating more than the end result.
Multicultural and Inclusion Materials
Materials and equipment should reflect the lives of the children and families in the program as well as the
diversity found in society, including culture, gender, age, language, and abilities. Children should be allowed
to build their understanding of their community in non-stereotypical ways. Appreciation for customs and
traditions of others, and building children’s own self-image should be a daily occurrence.
Music and Movement
A variety of sounds, melodies and rhythms provide engaging activities that develop rhythm and tonal awareness,
listening skills, and promote creative movement. Presenting music and instruments from different cultures
helps build pride in one’s own heritage and an understanding of others. Participating in musical activities
enhances other cognitive skills such as literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Provide time in each day for a variety of musical
experiences.
Science, Nature and Nutrition
An early childhood environment should offer opportunities to experiment, discover, and observe the living, growing,
physical world. Building young children’s curiosity leads them to question what is happening around them. Fostering
their inborn sense of wonder guides their need to make sense of the world. Carefully selected materials along with
a guiding educator enable their scientific inquiry to become more meaningful. Concepts learned here will be the basis for in-depth
thinking later in life, and a healthy quality of life.
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