UFC 4-740-14
1 August 2002
TABLE 5-2. CHILD INTEREST CENTERS IN CHILD ACTIVITY AREAS
Interest Centers (see legend below)
Age Groups
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
Infants
Pre-toddlers
Toddlers
Preschool
Interest Center Legend:
A
Reading/Listening
F
Manipulative/Table Toys
B
Imaginative Play
G
Arts Area
C
Woodworking H
Water/Sand Play
D
ScienceI
Quiet Areas
E
Blocks J
Music
5-15.1
Considerations. Consider the following information about the interest
centers when designing the child activity rooms.
5-15.1.1
Imaginative Play Area. Include space for portable child-sized
housekeeping equipment, space for children's table and chairs, child accessible storage
for props and dramatic play accessories, and child-height, shatterproof mirrors.
5-15.1.2
Science and Math Area. Provide space for small caged animals, plants,
and physical science and mathematics materials. Locate this area near sinks for ease
in watering plants, and for cleaning animal cages and bowls, and near natural light for
plants. Provide this area with childproof electrical outlets for aquariums, plant lights,
incubators, etc.
5-15.1.3
Blocks and Construction Area. Provide space for unit and larger
blocks, block accessories and transportation toys. Include child-height open storage for
blocks and display of block accessories. Provide soft surface flooring in this area. Do
not locate this area adjacent to major circulation--children will tend to not use this area
if there is a chance that passersby will accidentally destroy their creations.
5-15.1.4
Manipulative and Table Toys Area. Provide space for table and floor
manipulative and readiness toys and materials. This space double functions for eating
and includes at least one child-sized table and 6 to 8 child-sized chairs. Provide open
storage at child height for puzzles, pegboards, box games, manipulative toys, etc.
5-15.1.5
Arts area. Provide space for art activities such as painting, clay, etc. This
space double functions for eating and includes child-sized table and chairs. Also
consider easels, child-height drying racks for paintings, open child-height storage,
closed adult-accessible storage for supplies, child-height wide shelving, safety hooks for
aprons, and clip strips for the display of children's art work. Provide child-height sink in
or near this area. Provide floor and wall finishes impervious to paint, clay, etc.
5-11
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