Math items might include abacus, dominoes, games with dice, pegboards with numbers printed and holes to match, playing cards, puzzles where written numbers are matched to quantities, small objects to count into numbered containers, unifix cubes, balance scale with things to weigh, measuring cups and spoons with materials to measure, nested cups, puzzles (or anything) with geometric shapes, height chart (use to measure children's growth intermittently), thermometer, attribute blocks, geoboards, magnetic shapes, parquetry blocks with patterns, shape sorters, shape stencils, unit blocks (with image/outline labels on shelves), calculators, cash register, magnetic numbers, menu with prices, number lacing cards, number stamps/paint sponges, spinners, telephones, toy clock, grocery receipts/grocery store ads.
Science items might include ant farm, aquarium, butterly hatching kit, plants, window bird feeder, collections of natural items (seeds, rocks, pinecones, shells, leaves, nuts, wood pieces, etc.), nature-science books (factual), matching games, texture boards, smelling cans, binoculars, balance scales with natural objects to weigh, color paddles, kaleidoscope, lifting objects with levers/pulleys, magnets (with magnetic objects), mangifying glasses, microscope (and slides to look at), prisms, sensory bottles, tornado tubes, rain guage, sand and water tables with toys (buckets, funnels, measuring cups/spoons, pails, rakes, sand molds, scoops, shovels, sifters/sieve, spray bottles, turkey baster, trowels, unbreakable containers (bowls, etc.).
Cozy area things to consider: is it clearly defined and as far away as possible from the more active areas? I would remove the giant stuffed animal and add comfy seating for one or two children (you could have a couple of different seating options) that is not comfortable to jump on, maybe things on the ceiling to look at as you lay in that area (clouds? constellations?) or some sort of sheer material above them that somehow make the area feel cozy and invites contemplation.
Good for you for reaching out! Good luck!
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AndreaDekker
TUCSONAZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2022 14:06
From: Angela Hall
Subject: Need help with centers!
I teach 3 year olds. What do you guys have in your math and science centers? My kids are bored. I've been pinteresting ideas. I need help with cozy too! They seem to treat it as a wrestling corner. I have a giant teddy bear, books, and puzzles. I sit with them when I can and show them the correct way to use the center. I am an need of all your ideas and what works for you
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AngelaH
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