Kindergarten Classroom

“Providing children with choice in the learning environment is a key to supporting their emerging ability to self-regulate” – Kindergarten Program Manual (Ministry of Education, 2016)

           

            I have yet to be in a kinder classroom setting for one of my school placements, most of what I know about how a classroom is set-up if from what I’ve seen walking by a classroom or from the placement I had back in high school.

            Since my high school placement, from what I can tell, the kindergarten classroom has greatly changed, mostly due to board requirements and standards. The classroom I was in before was bright and work was put out when it was time to do something specific. The classrooms I have seen over placements usually were designed with neutral and muted tones and some schools gave student access to materials when necessary.

            When designing our own classroom, we wanted to make sure that we had a ‘Meeting Hub’ in the center of the room that was geared towards where would be doing any instruction, around the classroom we included other carpets where students can work independently with the materials and that are around the class.

            We also wanted to make sure that there was a quiet space, and a reading corner for those students who need that quiet time and to separate themselves from the large group. Some other important area’s around the class includes a space for dramatic play, our sensory bins and a large bulletin board that would display the students work.

            I am a strong believer that students should have control over their own learning, even if it appears to be minor. By giving students that control I would hope that they would be more engaged and show some more initiative with what they are able to choose to learn.

            In the kindergarten manual, within the small section on the kinder learning environment and self-regulation, they state that when given the opportunity to choose, they are able to learn how to stimulate and calm themselves (Ministry of Education, 2016). This information is really important because I believe that in a classroom with 30 or so 4 to 5 year old students who are just getting to know their environment the self-stimulation and regulation can benefit their learning in the future.

Reference

Ministry of Education (2016). The Kindergarten Program. Ontario: Queen’s Printer