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Homeschool Learning CentersOrganizing the Home to Create a Natural Learning Environment
Creatively organizing the home into learning centers will allow the environment to maximize natural learning while helping to store homeschool tools and supplies.
Centers are small areas where supplies or educational materials are stored in a way that provides easy access. This allows children to choose what activity they want to participate in. Learning centers can all be in one room, or they can be spaced throughout the whole house. They can be used for preschool age children as well as those in high school. Parents should explain their expectations to children of how to use and clean up each learning center before allowing unsupervised access. Posting the rules and expectations in a clearly visible spot is a good way to help everyone treat these areas as something special. Reading CenterA reading center should be a cozy intimate area that allows a child to comfortably escape into whatever book is being read. A small one-man pup tent set up inside the house makes a wonderful private reading spot. Adding stuffed animals and pillows allows the child to comfortably create a nest to read in. A small plastic tub inside the tent organizes the books. The books should be changed on a regular basis, reflecting the current content or interest being studied. A mix of fiction, non fiction, picture books and chapter books should be used. Picture books can be eliminated for older children. Keep the tent near windows to provide light, or hang a flashlight or small Colman lamp up inside the tent for a fun indoor lamp. Writing CenterA desk is a great foundation for a writing center. Eventually a computer may take center stage in this area. To keep things interesting, provide a variety of colored pens, calligraphy pens and even quills for fun. A dictionary, thesaurus, and book of quotes will help provide inspiration for writers of all ages. Math CenterA small bookshelf will provide storage space for math blocks, scales, rulers, compasses, Legos, and other fun math toys that are acquired. A small table set near the bookshelf will provide space for hours of building exploration. Parents may also choose to keep children’s math books in the math center. The children should also have access to mathematical literature in this center. Science CenterThe science center should have a comfortable table which the children can use while performing experiments. Science books, supplies, and resources (depending on size) should be contained on a book shelf near by. Art CenterIn the early years, having an art easel available will help to define this space. Lots of paper, tempera paint, oil pastels, crayons, colored pencils, and other art media should be available for the budding artist to explore the different effects they can create. Nearby, another small bookshelf or even a small box should container books like the “How to Draw” series, biographies of famous artist, and art history books. Dramatic PlayA box or drawer may hold the children’s dress up clothes when they are small, but as the children get taller and the costumes get bigger, parents may need to upgrade to a wardrobe. Don’t make the mistake of deciding the children are “too old” for dramatic play. Togas while learning about ancient Greece and Rome, cloaks and leggings for the Middle Ages, and other costume choices, allow older children to incorporate history into their dramatic play. As the children get older let them help shop at consignment stores, good will and other recycle stores to create fun period costumes. This may even lead to a desire to learn to sew. By creating learning centers throughout the home, parents allow the environment to challenge and enrich the children’s learning opportunities. Parents can feel confident that their children are learning without the parent having to be in “teacher” mode all of the time. Learning centers allow the children to engage in self directed activities. Centers also create an organized space to store your homeschool supplies.
The copyright of the article Homeschool Learning Centers in Homeschooling is owned by Jamie Hobbs. Permission to republish Homeschool Learning Centers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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