Science Center
Before
I created a science center after speaking with our Master Teacher. When we looked around our classroom we noticed that we were lacking a center for science. Since our curriculum this month centered around a bug theme, I tried to incorporate as much of this theme as I could. Also this center is in a toddler classroom and I made sure not to overwhelm it with too many items. Simple is better when working with infants and toddlers.
After
I included some shadow boxes with plastic bugs inside. Someone had purchased these plastic bugs for the children but unfortunately they were a choking hazard. We have shadow boxes that can be filled with your choice of small materials, and it ended up to be a perfect place for them. Another item that I added was these bug catchers that had many different types of bugs inside of them, of course we had to put out two of them since sharing is a new concept for them. I also added sensory cylinders. These bottles have different kinds of liquid in them so when they are shaken or turned upside down the content changes. The sensory cylinders that I put out are store bought from a learning center but you can make these very easily by using plastic water bottles and different types of liquid and materials. I then added a variety of puzzles so that the children can work on problem solving and see pictures of different types of bugs.
My goals for the children are to be able to freely access the materials at any time. The items I chose give them the opportunity to problem solve and interact with each other while manipulating the materials. They can use their fine motor skills when working with each item, the bugs when taking them out and putting them back in, the sensory bottles when they shake them, the shadow boxes when they pick them up and turn them around to look at the front and the back, and the puzzles when they try to navigate each piece into the correct position.
My goals for the children are to be able to freely access the materials at any time. The items I chose give them the opportunity to problem solve and interact with each other while manipulating the materials. They can use their fine motor skills when working with each item, the bugs when taking them out and putting them back in, the sensory bottles when they shake them, the shadow boxes when they pick them up and turn them around to look at the front and the back, and the puzzles when they try to navigate each piece into the correct position.