Welcome to the next installment of our educational series, where we dive into the heart of what makes Westview’s program exceptional! Today’s focus is on Center Time—one of the most powerful tools we use to build academic and social-emotional skills in our 2’s, preschool and prekindergarten classrooms.
Center Time is all about choice, engagement, and exploration. It offers a balance of structured learning and open-ended play, while encouraging independence, collaboration, and critical thinking. Best of all, Center Time is a key part of most kindergarten classrooms, so our kids leave Westview ready to thrive!
Our youngest learners begin with table-based activities that mimic the concept of centers. Rotating options like puzzles, sorting trays, peg boards, and sensory bins encourage fine motor control, visual discrimination, and early math/literacy skills. Teachers guide children gently toward making choices, sharing space, and exploring materials with intention. Children begin learning how to share materials, transition between activities, and stay engaged in short bursts of time.
Center Time truly blossoms here! Children explore a range of learning centers both at tables and throughout the room. Themes rotate frequently—seasons, community helpers, space, or farm life—to keep things fresh and engaging.
In our most advanced classroom, Center Time is a dynamic, choice-based learning period. Children begin by signing into their chosen center—a process that builds responsibility, early writing, turn-taking, and even quick math (e.g., “Is there room for one more?”). If a center is full, children learn to add their name to a waitlist, practicing patience and planning ahead.
Every center is designed to align with learning goals while keeping play at the center of the experience. At Westview, Center Time is more than a part of the day—it’s a launchpad for kindergarten readiness and lifelong learning. Children learn how to manage time, follow routines, make independent choices, and collaborate with peers—all through the magic of play.
Posted on June 10, 2025
by Katy Holzer
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