Small classrooms can challenge even the most talented educator. The limited space makes it difficult to fit essential learning materials and furnishings into the space without crowding the areas where children learn through play. Many educators wonder, how do you make a small classroom functional, organized, and ready to meet the diverse needs of every child?
You can transform even the smallest of classrooms into thriving learning environments with thoughtful design and organization. With over 50 years of experience designing, supplying, and staging classrooms of all shapes and sizes, Kaplan knows a thing or two about maximizing the square footage and learning potential of every early childhood environment.
In this article, you will discover five simple steps that will help you organize the smallest of classroom spaces so they make a big impact on the way children learn, grow, and play once they step inside.
Any early childhood environment aims to help children learn through play. While in the classroom, children move around, explore materials, and may even escape to quiet nooks and crannies for a peaceful moment of rest. Your classroom does not need to be expansive to accommodate the unique ways children play—it just needs thoughtful design and organization elements.
The most effective and beneficial classroom environments for young children incorporate:
Children feel safe, secure, and comfortable when a classroom incorporates the above qualities. They become eager to learn through play, feel confident interacting with peers, and have more positive experiences that strengthen their knowledge retention. With these practical design principles in place, educators will find it easier to regain calm, focus, and attention when classroom lessons and play time get out of hand.
Classroom organization and design, like any large project, feels intimidating when you think of the task as a whole. What do you get rid of, if anything? What do you keep? How do you position shelving units and other furnishings so children can easily access materials and move around the room? How do you meet quality rating requirements with limited learning center space?
To make it easier to organize your small classroom, take it one step at a time.
Before you begin organizing materials or moving around shelving units and classroom learning centers, get to know your classroom's dimensions and unique features. If needed, measure the length and width of the space so you have a clear idea of how much square footage you have to work with.
Take note of any nooks or protruding spaces that do not fit within the room's main square footage. These oddly shaped areas of a classroom are the perfect spot for reading nooks, quiet zones, and busy learning centers such as dramatic play or block play.
With a small classroom, the amount of available floor space is limited. Add to that the need for shelving units, tables, and chairs to accommodate playful learning, there is even less room for children and educators to safely and easily maneuver through the space.
As you shop for furniture for your small classroom, look for pieces that offer vertical storage and play surfaces, such as the Carolina Narrow 3-Shelf Storage unit or the Sense of Place Armoire. The Carolina 10-Cubby Wall Locker provides convenient storage for children's belongings and mounts securely to classroom walls, freeing up play space for children below.
When creating learning centers in a small classroom, you want to support children's development without overcrowding the room. Before positioning furnishings and displaying materials, consider your curriculum and the necessary items children will use to support their learning. You also want to consider how children will play with specific materials in the room and the space they need for daily lessons and activities. Position rugs, shelves, low dividers, and other furnishings strategically to create defined learning centers that allow children to move about comfortably.
Lightweight or mobile furniture will make it easy to rearrange your classroom as needed to accommodate each day's activities.
The best way to maximize your small classroom space is with multifunctional furniture and learning centers. For example, your art learning center can double as a sensory/science station if you store tactile materials and loose parts alongside construction paper and glue. Furnishings with multiple functions, such as the Carolina Connections Rhythm Seating Bench, can help with overcrowding in small classrooms. This bench is an excellent addition to small reading areas and functions as a place to store books and sit while reading.
By stocking your room with essential furnishings that function in multiple ways, you may be able to free up floor space for enriching and educational items like augmented reality Rugs Alive or a wall-mounting interactive panel.
Organization is always essential in the early childhood classroom, but it is even more so in smaller spaces. Overflowing shelves and clutter can make it difficult for children to find materials, play, and learn. Classroom clutter can also negatively affect children with sensory processing issues, increasing inappropriate behaviors that result from overstimulation.
Use bins and baskets to store materials and keep small classroom spaces tidy. If a bin or basket can also double as a key component of classroom lessons, it's even better. For example, a loose parts tray can hold classroom loose parts and serve as a vessel to assist with sorting and counting. Stackable organizers are also beneficial because they can hold more materials without taking up additional space on classroom shelves.
By following these tips, you can create small classroom spaces that greatly impact how children learn, grow, and play. Adapt these suggestions to meet your needs and keep experimenting until you find a classroom layout that feels right for you. The myKaplan FloorPlanner digital design tool is a great way to experiment with different classroom layouts, furnishing choices, and design options without doing any heavy lifting. Get started for free today!