Centers or No Centers?

[LoraJenkins]

I would get rid of the crib and get a pack n play. You can get a very basic one for $25 to $50 second hand. Leave it in your room due to space but fold it up on the evenings and on weekends so you dont feel that the kids are taking over your whole house.

I use to use pack n plays but, having 5 cats, they would use them as scratching posts. I went through 3 a year! That is why I use a crib. I wish I could go back to them but it just ends up costing me too much.

[originalkat]

I have a somewhat small space (20" x 15" I think). I do use centers, but they are not completely closed off by any means.

Block area (2 shelves in an L shape and a rug delineate it)- blocks, animals, cars, etc

Pretend area (kitchen set, shelf, rug to delineate it. Sometimes a small table get put in there depending on what they're up to)

Art area (2 big shelfs, big table)

Quiet area (one shelf, pillow, small rug) This area changes out a lot, sometimes it has a lot of natural things, other times it math manipulatives, etc.

I also have a sensory table that I bring in about 1/2 the time.

Yep, This is my situation as well. If I had more space I would separate it out more, but since my space is limited I just make some general areas.
My space includes the following Learning Centers or Play Areas:
Blocks and Building (Blocks, Magna Tiles, Cars, People, Dinosaurs etc)
Dramatic Play-Play stove, Dress ups, Play food/dishes)
Art Area- Easel, Large Table, Art Supplies are stored under the easel
Quiet Area- Books, Pillows, Magnet Play Boards from Lakeshore, Small felt boards
Math/Science Table (Puzzles, and I put out 1 Math or Science activity in a basket which I rotate each day. It could be counting bears, unifix cubes, magnets etc)

[kitykids3]

I have very little space, but I do have some centers, as much as I can do. Drama center, science/discovery, reading nook, creative center and block center.

[Country Kids]

I have a home center, transportation center, block center, 2 reading centers, and a lego center. There are other things here and there but those are the main ones (there's a large bus, a large 130 gallon aquarium, a dollhouse, a barnhouse, a large car ramp, etc.). The tabletop play toys and the puzzles are all in the 3rd room where they eat/do art activities. It used to be divided up differently, but these are the things the kids are interested in right now so this is what we have. ::

I soooooo love your setup!!!! The bus is my favorite.

To anyone that hasn't seen her set up there are pictures of it somewhere.

Also, I love the pictues of everyones setups on the decor group.

I encourage everyone to look at those-

[daycare]

I soooooo love your setup!!!! The bus is my favorite.

To anyone that hasn't seen her set up there are pictures of it somewhere.

Also, I love the pictues of everyones setups on the decor group.

I encourage everyone to look at those-

how do I become part of the decor grpup?

[LaLa1923]

I have centers, but mine change weekly...

I store everything in a huge closet. Then according to our theme, I will make centers at the 4 tables that I have set in the room.

this week I have...

build a snow fort, snow man play dough station...

water table- arctic table water toys with ice

arctic animal puzzles

feed the penguin game

I change them out each week.....

Any pics? What age groups do you have? They just play at tables all week?

[LaLa1923]

I have a home center, transportation center, block center, 2 reading centers, and a lego center. There are other things here and there but those are the main ones (there's a large bus, a large 130 gallon aquarium, a dollhouse, a barnhouse, a large car ramp, etc.). The tabletop play toys and the puzzles are all in the 3rd room where they eat/do art activities. It used to be divided up differently, but these are the things the kids are interested in right now so this is what we have. ::

Do you have any pics?