Walk into your classroom on the first day of preschool week prepared for anything! These common sense items for your early childhood classroom will help you prep to avoid distractions and keep your focus on the teaching task at hand.
1. Measuring Tape
When setting up your room or putting up decorations, it’s difficult to evenly space things using a ruler or protractor. Tape measures and a few simple hand tools will help design a room that looks organized and inviting.
2. Desk Lamp
Long days under fluorescent lights can take a toll on teachers and students. Open window shades for natural light, and keep a desk lamp around to help on darker days. If fluorescent ceiling lights are absolutely needed, you can soften them a bit with colorful and seasonal light filters.
3. Waste Baskets
Having several areas around the room with waste baskets will make it easier to keep trash where it belongs. A few regular waste bins and recycling bins will make for simpler sorting when it’s time to empty them.
4. Board Paper and Rolls
Keeping your room decorations fresh for seasonal and holiday updates can feel so overwhelming. But with enough paper roll supplies on hand, it will be much simpler to create something unique each time. Everyone loves flashy colors, but don’t forget about ordinary kraft paper to fill in spots and give the eyes a break from the brightness. It could even be used to create a rustic theme!
5. Dusting Wipes and Supplies
Most schools shut off their AC systems during the summer, which allows dust to accumulate. Have some dust wipes and polish ready to start the year, and keep some wipes on hand to stay on top of it. Computers and electronics may require screen wipes and compressed air to safely clean monitors and get into tiny crevices like keyboards.
6. First Aid Supplies
It almost goes without saying, but having easily accessible and regularly updated first aid supplies will give you, your students, and their parents an extra level of classroom comfort.
7. Classroom Decorations
Adding a personal touch to your room can help you and your students feel a little more at home. Try out some different classroom decoration themes to complement your board paper choices and keep everyone in the spirit of whatever season comes up next!
8. Step Stool
Raise your hand if you’re a 6-foot-6 preschool teacher. Anyone? I think I see a few very tall hands in the back. For everyone else, a step stool is an invaluable classroom necessity. You won’t need it every day, but you’ll be glad to have it.
9. Copy Paper
Even in the advancing digital age, copy paper has a multitude of purposes. If you send a lot home with your students, throw in some colored copy paper. You could even use assorted color packs to help you organize your own documents.
10. Cables and Cable Ties
You can probably empty out most of that drawer full of cables and cords from devices you forgot you ever had, AKA the Cable Drawer. But it’s a good idea to have a few (a few!) universal extra cables and cable ties nearby to make sure any lesson that requires technology won’t be cut short. Cable ties will keep cords orderly and organized, as well as prevent young feet from getting caught on stray wires. HDMI and USB cables are fairly standard, and adapters will allow you to switch between them quickly without having to constantly buy new cords for every device.
How do you prep your early childhood classroom? Do you have any product favorites? Let us know in the comments!
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