Tips for Preschool Teachers

1. Room Layout & Safety, Safety, Safety!

• Arrange learning centers in clearly defined spaces.
• Keep walking paths wide and free from clutter.
• Place high-energy/noisy areas (blocks, dramatic play) away from quiet areas (library, writing).
• Ensure furniture is child-sized and stable.
• Anchor shelves and tall items to prevent tipping.
• Cover unused electrical outlets and secure cords.
• Check that exits and emergency equipment are accessible.

2. Learning Centers

• Block Area: Variety of block sizes, vehicles, people/animal figures, storage bins.
• House Area: Child-sized kitchen, dolls, dress-up clothes, pretend food, real-life props.
• Art Area: Easels, paper, crayons, markers, paint, glue, scissors, smocks.
• Book Area: Comfortable seating, baskets of books, book display at eye level.
• Science Area: Magnifying glasses, nature items, simple science tools, sensory bins.
• Toy Area: Puzzles, counting bears, shape sorters, stacking toys, pattern blocks.
• Writing Area: Paper, pencils, markers, stamps, alphabet charts.
• Computer Area: Computer with a 10 minute timer.
• Cozy Area: Soft chair, stuffed animals, pillows, quiet activities
• Sand/Water: Sand table, water table, buckets, shovels, sieves, watermills, scoops, small toy animals.
• Music Area: cymbals, bells, rainstick, cd player, assortment of cd's

3. Materials & Labeling

• Store materials in open bins or baskets on low shelves.
• Label all containers with words and pictures.
• Rotate materials regularly to keep interest high.
• Keep frequently used items within children’s reach.

4. Cozy & Calm Spaces

• Provide a soft, quiet corner for self-regulation and alone time.
• Include soft seating, pillows, and calming sensory tools.

5. Displays & Decor

• Post daily schedule and classroom rules with visuals.
• Display children’s work at their eye level.
• Use neutral or soft background colors and minimal clutter on walls.
• Include photos of children and families to create a sense of belonging.

6. Teacher & Family Communication Areas

• Have a parent bulletin board for announcements, menus, and calendars.
• Create a teacher workstation or storage space for personal and lesson materials.

7. Daily Routines & Accessibility

• Post handwashing signs near sinks.
• Keep tissues, trash cans, and cleaning supplies accessible (and safe).
• Prepare sign-in/out area for parents.

Develop strategies and approaches that early childhood personnel and families can use to systematically target social emotional supports that build young children’s skills in a variety of areas including making friends, problem solving, asking an adult for help, talking about feelings, and managing their emotions. The strategies rely on a 3-stage approach to supporting young children’s social emotional development by (1) introducing and practicing a skill, (2) building fluency and competency with a skill, and (3) ensuring there is maintenance of a skill. The video (link below) provides multiple examples of early childhood personnel demonstrating how to introduce a skill using a variety of tools, practice a skill through planned and unscripted activities, and maintain the skill by recognizing children for using the skill on their own.

Setting and maintaining classroom rules in a preschool environment is essential for creating a safe, respectful, and predictable space where children can learn and thrive. Rules must be introduced immediately at the start of the year, and significant time should be set aside in the beginning to teach, model, and practice them so they become part of the classroom routine. Clear, simple rules—paired with consistent expectations—help young children understand boundaries and develop self-control. When rules are explained in child-friendly language and reinforced through modeling and positive feedback, they promote responsibility, cooperation, and problem-solving skills. Consistency in enforcing rules builds trust between children and teachers, while also reducing conflicts and disruptions. Ultimately, well-established classroom rules support not only behavior management but also the social-emotional growth that is critical for lifelong learning success.

Lesson Plans for the First 30 Days offers six weeks of user-friendly plans that build on children’s developing skills while modeling the HighScope active learning approach. Each lesson plan includes activities for greeting time, small- and large-group times, and Plan-Do-Review®. Most plans also include follow-up ideas, outdoor suggestions, meal conversation tips, and ways to promote family engagement. The book also includes a curated selection of HighScope music with guidelines for using the music during large-group times, cleanup, and other parts of the daily routine.  The book is provided and must be returned at the end of the school year.