Learning Centers are used throughout Ontario classrooms and in most primary, junior and intermediate grades.

Centers act as both supplementary and essential components to the teachers program delivery.1 Learning centers teach students a specific skill or strategy. These skills can then be incorporated into the childs cognitive, emotional, and physical development. Over the last few decades there has been considerable research done with regards to the productivity of the classroom. This investigation has led many educators to discover a disconnect between students and teaching approaches. Formerly, classrooms were centered on teacherdirected and authoritative methods of teaching. However, in the twentieth and twenty first century there has been considerable push to steer away from these approaches.2 Learning Centers were developed out of Deweys concept that children learn better when their interests are sparked and when active exploration and discovery is encouraged.3 Centres can either be facilitated or non-facilitated. Facilitated centres have a teacher or instructor at each area to guide the students through the process, whereas non-facilitated centres are explained during the lesson and have written instructions for students to follow. A center is an area in the classroom where students find authentic materials useful for studying a particular subject. 4 Centers help students become more involved and responsible for their own learning. They provide an individualized or small group learning environment where students can work on reinforcing previous knowledge or developing a new skill.5

1 2

Auger, Wendy, Curriculum Theory and Methods (Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd, 2007), 157. Pace, L Judith, Hemmings, Annette, Understanding Authority in Classrooms: A Review of Theory, Ideology, and Research, Review of Educational Research, (2007) 77:1, 5, accessed October 15, 2012. 3 Rothenberg, James, The Open Classroom Reconsidered. The Elementary School Journal, (1989) 90:1, 72 accessed October 11, 2012. 4 Sloane, W Marie, Engaging Primary Students: Learning Resource Centers, Childhood Education, (1998), 75:2, 96, accessed October 12, 2012. 5 McCarthy M, Martha, The How and Why of Learning Centers, The Elementary School Journal, (1977), 293294, accessed October 15, 2012.

In Kindergarten classrooms, learning centres are the foundation of the program.6 They are not only used to teach students a certain skill, but are utilized to teach children how to work independently, how to cooperate with others, and can help teachers identify the students learning style. 7 Each center consists of a subject, and depending on what is being taught the activities change. However, the subject of each centre remains the same. The classroom is comprised of a Math, Music, Literacy, Science, Art, Library, and Manipulative/ Large Motorskills, and Technology centres.8 Classroom management strategies are integral to making learning centers work. It is important that each center has its own defined space so that students are able to remain focused. Moreover, developing a list of behavioural expectations with students will help centers run more smoothly. For example, you can create a chart with rules that students come up with or expected behaviour as well as regulations on how to interact within the centers. Guidelines might include cleaning up your mess when finished, putting finished work in your finished bin, raising your hand if you have a question, or speaking quietly. Additionally, creating an effective way to transition from one center to the next is vital in the centers running smoothly.9 You may play a certain song, use a certain noise or develop a clapping pattern. Most importantly, children should be given ample amount of time so that they are able to explore, develop and understand what is being learned.10

6 7

Auger, Wendy, Curriculum Theory and Methods (Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd, 2007), 159. Hoerr, Thomas R, "Learning All Around the Room", Early Childhood Today (2002): accessed October 14, 2012. 8 Ibid. 9 LoCasale-Crouch, Jennifer, Pre-kindergarten teachers use of transition practices and children's adjustment to kindergarten, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 23: 1 (2008), 124-139, accessed October 8, 2012. 10 Cress, Susan W, Assessing Standards in the Real" Kindergarten Classroom, Early Childhood Education Journal, 32:1 (2004), 4, accessed October 8, 2012.

Classrooms are becoming more student-centred. Learning Centres create an environment where students can use play and discovery to learn. Accordingly, research studies confirm what many teachers have come to know through experience; learning is enhanced when students are actively involved in the learning process. 11 Recently, learning centers have become widely practice in Ontario schools. With the implementation of full day kindergarten, there has been a shift to incorporate play-based learning into educational programs in the classroom. 12 Essentially play-based learning uses active play, self discovery and exploration to facilitate a childs learning. Learning centers act as a great facilitator for play-based learning as it offers the child a chance to independently discover and develop various social, physical and emotional skills. Learning Centers are limitless resources for teachers. They create great learning opportunities for students of all ages. In kindergarten learning centers are instrumental in implementing play-based learning programs. When developed and implemented appropriately learning centers are an effective classroom tool. They aid in the development of the whole child and allow for a creative, fun, and inclusive classroom environment.

11

Collins, Rita, Vojtkova, Nada, Using Learning Centres in the English language classroom, International Association of Teachers of English as a Second Language, 1 , accessed October 10, 2012, www.iatefl.org/component/option,com.../Itemid.../view,category/. 12 Wardle, Francis, Play As Curriculum, Early Childhood News. Accessed October 15, 2012, http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=127.

Works Cited Auger, Wendy, Curriculum Theory and Methods (Mississauga: John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd, 2007), 157. Collins, Rita, Vojtkova, Nada, Using Learning Centres in the English language classroom, International Association of Teachers of English as a Second Language, 1 , accessed October 10, 2012, www.iatefl.org/component/option,com.../Itemid.../view,category/. Cress, Susan W, Assessing Standards in the Real" Kindergarten Classroom, Early Childhood Education Journal, 32:1 (2004), 4, accessed October 8, 2012. , LoCasale-Crouch, Jennifer, Pre-kindergarten teachers use of transition practices and children's adjustment to kindergarten Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 23: 1 (2008), 124139, accessed October 8, 2012. McCarthy M, Martha, The How and Why of Learning Centers, The Elementary School Journal, (1977), 293-294, accessed October 15, 2012. Pace, L Judith, Hemmings, Annette, Understanding Authority in Classrooms: A Review of Theory, Ideology, and Research, Review of Educational Research, (2007) 77:1, 5, accessed October 15, 2012.
Rothenberg, James, The Open Classroom Reconsidered. The Elementary School Journal, (1989) 90:1, 72 accessed October 11, 2012.

Sloane, W Marie, Engaging Primary Students: Learning Resource Centers, Childhood Education, (1998), 75:2, 96, accessed October 12, 2012. Wardle, Francis, Play As Curriculum, Early Childhood News. Accessed October 15, 2012, http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=127.