Kindergarten Room Ideas

Traditional Elements

• Every kindergarten environment must have the basics such as colors, shapes, numbers and alphabets. But that does not mean you can't be creative. For instance, rather than simply placing alphabet letters in order along the room's border, try creating an alphabet tree with hanging alphabets in lieu of fruits. Along the base of the tree, animal characters in various shapes, colors and sizes could be grazing on flowers and grass. Ideas such as this will grab the students' attention and encourage them to learn their ABCs and 123s.

Classroom Rules

• In addition to traditional learning elements, every kindergarten room must have a set of rules to get the children used to following instruction. The rules can be set up like a game rather than just a list of rules. For instance, transform the rules into a Sherlock Holmes mystery game, where each rule is hidden throughout the classroom. In order to find the rule, the students are given picture hints such as a blue bin or a teddy bear. Then the students must find the bin or the teddy to find the attached rule, which the teacher then reads so that all the students understand. This is an interactive twist on classroom rules and can be adjusted to match the students' skill level.

Creative Board

• Along one side of the classroom, bring in a large magnetic chalkboard or whiteboard for the students to flex their creative muscles. The board should be organized into various sections such as weather or emotions. If you decide to go the emotions route, write each student's name at the top of the board. To the left of the names, write the phrase, "Today I feel..." and beneath each name attach a Velcro lining. Using laminated emotions, the students can choose which emotions they are feeling and place them under their names. Decorative magnets add to the fun design of the board and students throughout the day can practice drawing or coloring on the board. It also allows them to be aware of how their fellow classmates might be feeling that day. This board can be changed monthly or weekly to keep things interesting.

Artwork

• The best room design tip is likely to be the students' own artwork. Reserve a portion of the wall to display their artwork throughout the year, such as painted turkey hands or a homemade storybook. The backdrop for the artwork could be a school bus or zoo animals, in which one piece is peeking through the bus windows or is in a lion's mouth. The artwork could also turn into educational pieces such as animals, days of the week and holidays. Displaying the artwork serves as a reminder of what the students have learned, and the parents will appreciate it as well when they enter the classroom to pick up their children.