Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Learning Center Management

    Posted 11-19-2018 03:18 PM
    I work as a Texas Rising Star Mentor and was recently visiting one of the NAEYC centers.  I suggested incorporating a center management system in the classroom (visuals that let children know how many can be in each center).  The Director of the center said that NAEYC does not recommend this type of system and is moving away from the traditional Learning Center and to creating Discovery Areas.  Is this a new NAEYC standard and if so, where can I find more information about this? I am always interested in learning new things!

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    Karen Bain
    ChildCareGroup
    Dallas TX
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  • 2.  RE: Learning Center Management

    Posted 11-24-2018 12:39 PM
    I would be very interested to know the answer to your question as well, but I see that no one has responded.  Maybe it's a sticky question?!

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    Pam Ebersole
    Early Childhood Educator
    Palm Bay, Florida
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  • 3.  RE: Learning Center Management

    Posted 11-25-2018 08:39 AM


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    Gina Tek
    Coordinator
    ChildcareTennessee
    Nashville TN
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  • 4.  RE: Learning Center Management

    Posted 11-25-2018 07:57 PM
    Good Evening! Sorry for the delayed response. NAEYC Accreditation does not prescribe to any one "type" of learning center practice.  

    NAEYC Accreditation of Early Learning Programs supports learning centers and print-rich classroom environments and provides guidance that supports best practice. You can find more information in the Standard 2 topic areas listed below:
    We hope this is helpful.  Thanks for reaching out. 


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    Kristen Johnson
    NAEYC Accreditation of Early Learning Programs
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  • 5.  RE: Learning Center Management

    Posted 11-25-2018 11:41 AM
    I would be interested in knowing where your director obtained this information. I would find a way to gingerly as her to provide the source of this information.  Sometimes opinion articles are written or personal philosophies are injected into educational practices.  I am wondering if this is a practice that someone is trying - of moving away from learning center management to All discovery centers or is it someone who shares their story of how they are implementing alternative methods of center engagement.  I think both methods are appropriate.

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    Kimberly Thornton
    Ms.
    Education Consultant
    Dallas TX
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  • 6.  RE: Learning Center Management

    Posted 11-25-2018 12:46 PM

    We were reaccredited last year, and I saw no new standards on doing away with small numbers in centers or insisting that learning centers be called discovery centers though we hope discoveries are made. Some management system to limit numbers in centers seems essential so that children can engage, communicate and collaborate with each other. That is easier for four year olds to manage than for threes. I've seen threes who are oblivious to systems or are so worried about them they cannot play. I can't imagine a pre-k early childhood classroom that did not have some kind of numbers management system.
    Peggy Sweeney
    Poe Co
    Houston Tx



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    Peggy Sweeney
    Poe Co
    Houston Tx
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  • 7.  RE: Learning Center Management

    Posted 11-26-2018 12:30 PM
    I do not have a management system in my Pre-K classroom. The only rule is that they clean up one area before moving on to another. I do, however, stay close by any super popular centers so that I can narrate what's going on or help with problem solving if needed. Occasionally there are problems, but I welcome this because it allows the children to practice their problem solving skills.

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    Jennifer Monson
    Denver Public Schools
    Denver CO
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