EDU 1203

Assessment 1

An effective learning environment must have several learning centres to create a student-centred
classroom instead of a teaching-centred classroom because independent learning is something to be
encouraged, and will help the students be self-reliant in their future. It is also important to have relevant learning centres that have different objectives which help the students understand and learn
practically, as well as have activities that assimilate into the different skill and knowledge levels the
children have (McCombs & Whisler, 1997). The different learning centres also accommodate the
different learning styles the students may have: visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal (Overview of learning styles, 2016). In this essay, I will be discussing the different
learning centres I created in my own classroom design: Reading Centre, Technology Centre, Games
Centre, Common Area, and Writing Centre.

Submitted by: Ayesha Al Shamsi

H00333697

Submitted on: 20/03/16

EDU 1203

Assessment 1

In the top left-hand corner, there is the reading centre where there is a bookshelf filled with different
kinds of books and stories of various genres. The children can go and choose any book they want
from the bookshelf and go sit on the rug and read it in silence. This centre is useful because the students can practice their reading skills, and language skills by reading the different level books, they
can also have readings with the teacher. They can pick up different moral lessons from the stories,
and this will help them with their understanding of schemas; aiding them to understand and learn
how to categorise different ideas in their minds (McLeod, 2016).

In the top-right corner, there is the technology centre where there are desks and computers on every
desk where the students can sit down and get on the computers, using them to learn different technology skills, such as: making powerpoint presentations, using basic document-making programs,
navigating the internet, and knowing how to get credible resources from the internet. They also
practice their typing skills which will enhance their fine motor skills and this is very essential for
them because it strengthens the muscles and is connected to the brain as well. This is supported by a
quote from the Babycenter Medical Advisory Board that says it's equally important that kids work
on their fine motor skills small, precise thumb, finger, hand, and wrist movements because
they support a host of other vital physical and mental skills (How to help your toddler develop fine
motor skills, 2016).

In the bottom-left corner, there is the play centre where the children can sit down and play in a controlled area, playing with the different games. In this centre they have fun and learn while playing.
There is a prop-kitchen where they can role-play and pretend that they are cooking different food
for their friends which helps in developing their social skills with their peers. It also improves their
language skills when they speak to each other to get their playmates orders. This also harnesses
Submitted by: Ayesha Al Shamsi
H00333697

Submitted on: 20/03/16

EDU 1203

Assessment 1

their imagination, which acts as intellectual simulation for their minds and the way they understand
the world as well as learning new skills practically. As it is claimed by Linda Pound: It is intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, and linguistically challenging and encourages children to
work in depth (alone and with others) (Pound, 2005). There are also other games in this centre:
there are legos that the children can use to build things, and this helps them learn basic engineering
skills for them as well as enhance their fine motor skills (How to help your toddler develop fine motor skills, 2016).

In the bottom-right corner, there is a whole-class centre where the children sit down on a rug, and
the teacher stands in front and explains the theoretical lessons and give them instructions for some
of the activities. There is one white board, one smart board, and one writing stand. This is helpful
for the students that are auditory and visual learners because they can listen to what the teacher
says, and they can also watch videos or powerpoint presentations the teacher uses to explain the
lessons or instructions (Fleming, 2014).

In the middle of the room there is the writing/arts and crafts centre where there are tables and chairs
and stationary. In this centre, the students can do activities concerned with their writing skills, and it
also helps with their fine motors as well. The students can also work in groups depending on the
activity the teacher gives them. On occasion, it can also act as an arts and crafts area where they can
make projects or drawings with different coloured paper which helps with their creativity and art
skills in which they are introduced to skills they may not yet know they have, and it is much better
to have an idea of what they are good at, and it may help them in the future (Why should we encourage independent learning in our children?, 2012).

Submitted by: Ayesha Al Shamsi

H00333697

Submitted on: 20/03/16

EDU 1203

Assessment 1

The reading centre and the writing centre have some similarities between them. In the reading centre, the children learn how to identify different characters and plot lines, and they also develop their
language skills as well as they read. In the writing centre, the children can also work on their language skills by writing words down and letters. They also write stories in this centre which they
learn from the reading the books in the reading centre. Both centres interlock and complete one another; in my opinion, neither one can be as strong in developing the childrens skills without the
other.

Despite their similarities, the two centres are also different in various ways. The reading centre is
interactive at times; the children can read in pairs and have a group reading with the teacher as well.
They are also taught how to identify all the different aspects of books and stories, so it can act as a
lesson ground as well; they also have different reading and language level books depending on individual children and their levels. On the other hand, the writing centre is individual-based activities
where each child is concerned only with their work and no one elses. They do not work in pairs or
in groups, and there is no kind of lesson taught in this centre, the teacher is only there to watch over
the children as they work quietly, and helps them if they have a problem.

In conclusion, I believe that it is vital to design a successful and comfortable learning environment
that includes learning centres for kindergarten because it helps children develop different skills and
makes it more fun for them to learn and to have various kinds of centres where they can move
around in their own time and to reach their own individual objectives each day depending on their
own levels of knowledge and skill.

Submitted by: Ayesha Al Shamsi

H00333697

Submitted on: 20/03/16

EDU 1203

Assessment 1

References

Toddler fine motor skills: Stacking, sorting, and stringing | BabyCenter. (2016). BabyCenter.
Retrieved from http://www.babycenter.com/0_toddler-fine-motor-skills-stacking-sortingand-stringing_12574.bc

How to help your toddler develop fine motor skills | BabyCenter. (2016). BabyCenter. Retrieved
from http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-help-your-toddler-develop-fine-motor-skills_11549.bc

McLeod, S. (2016). Jean Piaget | Cognitive Theory | Simply Psychology. Simply Psychology..
Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html

Overview of learning styles. (2016). Learning styles online. Retrieved from http://
www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/

McCombs, B., & Whisler, J. (1997). The learner-centered classroom and school (p. 11). San
Fransisco: Jose-Bass Publishers.

Fleming, G. (2014). Are you a visual learner? Try these study techniques. About Education.
Retrieved from http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/visual.htm

Submitted by: Ayesha Al Shamsi

H00333697

Submitted on: 20/03/16

EDU 1203

Submitted by: Ayesha Al Shamsi

H00333697

Assessment 1

Submitted on: 20/03/16