Top 10 Signs of a Good Kindergarten Classroom

1. Children are playing and working with materials or other children. They are not aimlessly wandering or forced to sit quietly for long periods of time.



2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day, such as block building, pretend play, picture books, paints and other art material, and table toys. Children are not all doing the same things at the same time.



3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend time only with the entire group.



4. The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own writing, and invented spelling and dictated stories.



5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences. Exploring the natural world of plants and animals, cooking, taking attendance, and serving snack are all meaningful activities to children.



6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time (at least one hour) to play and explore. Filling out worksheets should not be their primary activity.



7. Children can play outside every day that weather permits. This play is never sacrificed for more instruction time.



8. Teachers read books to children throughout the day, not just at group story time.



9. Curriculum is adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help. Because children differ in experiences and background, they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.



10. Children and their parents look forward to school. Parents feel safe sending their child to kindergarten. Children are happy; they are not crying or regularly sick.

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External Source National Association for the Education of Young Children

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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