1. Purpose and objectives of the humanities learning centre.
Learning about nature and science helps children expand their vocabulary and develop a
broader understanding of basic science concepts. The increase in environmental concerns makes
it even more important for children to study nature and science, which is why a nature and
science learning center is a must-have for early care and education environments. Including a
nature and science learning center in your classroom will give children opportunities to explore
the world around them through hands-on learning and will help nurture children's interest and
concern for our environment now and as adults.
A nature and science center is an integral part of the preschool classroom, but setting one
up and choosing the best materials for your center can be tricky, especially if you have limited
space. Whether you're a new teacher planning out your first classroom space or a veteran teacher
looking to revamp your classroom, here are four steps that detail how to set up a nature and
science learning center that's just right for your classroom:
Describe what you will include in the humanities learning centre.
1. Finalize the Size and Location of Your Nature and Science Learning Center
The first step in setting up your nature and science learning center is to finalize its size
and location in the classroom. You should base this decision on the overall size of the room, how
many other learning centers you're planning for your classroom, the number of children in your
class, and how many children you want to use the center at one time. Space for 3-4 children is a
good goal to keep in mind as you plan your nature and science learning center.
You should try to locate your nature and science center near a window or a door that
opens to a small nature area. Locating your center near a window means children have natural
light to help them grow a variety of plants indoors. It also allows for plenty of opportunities to
observe nature, weather, and seasonal changes.
2. When choosing the size and location of your nature and science center, you should also
consider whether you want the center to be solely inside or if you have an outdoor classroom,
weather station, nature area, or garden that you want to incorporate as a part of the learning
center. You will need a bigger space for the center if you keep everything indoors. Adding an
outdoor element to your nature and science center can be very beneficial for children, so take
advantage of any nature and science learning activities that can be conducted outside.
Depending on the activity and the children stationed at the center, your nature and
science learning center may get noisy. Try to place this center close to other centers that usually
have a high noise level, such as the block center and the sand and water center. Check
out resource tool if you would like additional assistance in planning the best layout for your
classroom.
2. Choose Furniture that Works Well in the Allocated Space
One or two tables and several chairs will be needed in your nature and science center to
give children an appropriate workspace. You may also want to consider adding a light table to
the space to help children learn about energy and light. A classroom greenhouse is another option
that can aid in helping children learn about science just be sure to leave plenty of space for any
large items you want to incorporate in the center. Shelving units and other furniture options will
help define the space and keep everything organized.
3. Storage Options that Help Keep Items and Materials Organized
Storage containers are a must for your nature and science center. They can help you
organize science materials and keep science collections together. Labeled storage containers are
also a great way to encourage students to help keep the area neat and organized. You may want
to keep more expensive science materials in a locked storage cabinet or stored out of children's
reach.
3. 4. Select a Variety of Science Tools and Materials to Facilitate Learning
Your nature and science learning center should contain a variety of science tools,
materials, and collections for children to explore. There are numerous materials for you to
choose from, so the materials you choose for your center will really just depend on the science
concepts you want to teach and your overall vision for the center. We've come up with a list of
suggested science tools and materials to help you choose the best materials for your nature and
science center:
Suggested how children will use the humanities learning centre science tool and
meterials.
Earth and Space
Teaching children about the earth, moon, stars, and planets will help them explore how
the universe works. Help children learn about the different aspects of earth and space with fun
games, models, experiments, and informative books.
Energy, Light, and Sound
Children are already fascinated with energy, light, and sound at this age, so be sure to
provide a variety of materials to help them further their understanding of these concepts. Light
tables, color lenses, mirrors, sound kits, solar energy kits, and flashlights are all great items you
can incorporate in your nature and science center.
Health and Safety
It's never too early to start teaching children about health and safety. Models, health
posters, activity kits, books, and games are all excellent resources you can use to help children
learn about brushing their teeth, washing their hands, going to the doctor, exercising, and eating
nutritiously.
Human Body
Understanding the basic concepts of how the human body works will enable children to
take care of themselves and better explain what hurts if they fall or get sick. You can help
children learn about the human body with book sets, human x-rays, anatomy models, flip charts,
games, and more.
4. Magnets
Children will love learning about magnetism and exploring how magnets work. Be sure
to include magnetic sand tables, discovery boards, magnetic wands, and a variety of other
magnetic materials in your nature and science center.
Nutrition
Since childhood obesity is a major concern, nutrition should be strongly emphasized in
your nutrition and science center and in other areas of your classroom. Nutrition puppet sets,
plush toys, learning kits, books, posters, and pocket charts can help you teach children about
healthy foods and appropriate portion sizes.
Trees and Plants
Help children learn about the environment and feel closer to nature by incorporating
activities that encourage children to work with plants, observe changes in trees, and understand
the true value of our environment. Gardening kits, gardening tools, root viewers, specimen sets,
flower and plant models, flip charts, and informative books are all great materials you can use to
further children's understanding of the environment in your nature and science center.
Weather and Climate
Teaching children about weather and climate should be an important part of your nature
and science center. Help children track the weather and observe seasonal changes with weather
trackers, thermometers, weather books, and other similar materials.