Dividing Children's Playrooms

Maximize Kids' Development By Setting Up Activity Zones

May 18, 2008 Charlina Stewart

This article teaches parents how to make the most of kids' playrooms by dividing them into activity zones.

Dividing children's playrooms into activity zones mimics the setups in most preschool and kindergarten classrooms. Each zone is specifically designed to focus on a certain area of interest such as dramatic play, math, reading, etc. Learn how to maximize kids' development by setting up activity zones in their play areas.

Dramatic Play Area

Children carry out all of their imaginative play experiences in the dramatic play area. This section of your kids’ playroom will require a fair amount of open space so children will have room to maneuver as they pretend to be doctors, musicians, grocery store clerks, parents, cooks, and such.

Provide materials that allow children to engage in a variety of types of imaginative play. Some of these items can include:

• dolls and doll accessories
• kitchen equipment (pretend food, dishes, etc.)
• dress up clothes, shoes and hats
• full length mirror (one created for play areas)
• aprons
• combs and brushes
• child size table and chairs
• cash register and play money
• empty food containers
• toy telephones

Reading Area

When dividing your kids’ playroom into activity zones, the reading area will require the least amount of space. A quiet corner is perfect for creating a warm, cozy reading nook. Furnish this area with a small bookshelf, a variety of children’s books, and a child-size lounger, rocking chair, or beanbag.

Block Area

To setup the block area, use an area rug to define the floor space where children will engage in block play. Store large blocks in oversized plastic bins and position them against the wall when they’re not being used. Add items that allow kids to expand on their block play experiences such as cars, dump trucks, and play tools to the area.

Creative Arts and Crafts Area

There will be tons of messy play going on in the creative arts activity zone. So the closer the area is to a sink, the happier everyone will be. Provide a spacious table for children to work with materials for their creative projects. The creative arts and crafts area can include some of the following things:

• non toxic paints and brushes
• collage material (scrap paper, buttons, etc.)
• glue and glitter
• playdough, modeling clay and cookie cutters
• scissors
• markers, crayons, and pencils
• construction paper, notebooks, and writing paper
• stencils

Math and Science Area

Kids will be doing a lot of sorting, counting, mixing, measuring and observing in the math and science area--so this area should be equipped with a table and a small reachable shelf where children can store their items. Some things that can fill the math and science area are:

• sand and water table
• measuring cups and funnels
• sorting materials
• pegs and pegboards
• board games, matching games, and number games
• bug boxes and magnifying glasses
• rocks, pinecones, and leaves
• toy animals

Dividing kids’ playrooms into activity zones can give them an opportunity to engage in a wide spectrum of learning experiences and stimulate all areas of their development.

The copyright of the article Dividing Children's Playrooms in Early Childhood is owned by Charlina Stewart. Permission to republish Dividing Children's Playrooms in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Child Working in the Block Area Of His Playroom