Kindergarten children learn through play!  That is why it is so important to schedule time each day so students can participate in 'developmental' or 'free choice' centers.

Poem to send home regarding Developmental Centers
Free Choice Board
Related Resources

Below are just a few of the skills that children are developing as they work in daily free choice centers.

Art Tubs, Art Table, Easels fine motor skills creative expression colors, shapes, and size relationships exploring materials visual perception Blocks spatial relationships cooperation balance cause and effect shape and size discrimination physical coordination Book Baskets/Listening Center reading for enjoyment letter recognition concepts of print (left to right, tracking print, etc) following directions comprehension vocabulary development Computers hand/eye coordination patterning sorting letter and numeral recognition concepts of print (left to right, tracking print, etc) following directions Housekeeping oral communication skills conflict resolution vocabulary development understand experiences through role playing Math hand/eye coordination problem solving one to one correspondence counting patterning sorting Puppets comprehension/retelling of stories vocabulary development problem solving cooperation and social skills Puzzles and Games hand/eye coordination classification visual perception problem solving social skills Sand Table exploration and discovery cause and effect measurement problem solving properties of matter Writing/ABC fine motor skills develop creativity and expression communicate ideas letter recognition sequencing letter/sound correspondence

Just Playing
Author Unknown

When I'm building in the block area,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play: about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm, "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play:
I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint, or standing at an easel, or molding
and shaping the clay,
Please don't let me hear you say, "He's Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "Just Playing."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with
choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "Just Playing."
For, you see, I 'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some plaything at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "Play."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking to tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse, or an athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, "I Just Played,"
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work,
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I am a child and my work IS play

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 Our 'Free Choice' board is always posted for students to refer to....

The above photo needs updated, but the idea is the same
- clear visuals to show where students may participate

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Printable Skills Signs - signs to place in each center to show which skills students are working on, free from ABCteach

Printable Center Signs - signs to print that designate the center students are working in, free from ABCteach

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