Q. A "wide selection of books" includes what kinds/categories?
This includes fantasy, factual information, stories about people, animals and nature/science, books that reflect different cultures and abilities. About 3-4 examples of each category are required.
Q. What are examples of fine motor materials?
For infants: grasping toys, busy boxes, nested cups, containers to fill and dump, textured toys, cradle gyms and rattles For toddlers: shape sorting games, large stringing beads, big pegs with peg boards, simple puzzles, pop beads, stacking rings, nesting toys, medium or large interlocking blocks and crayons For preschoolers: small building toys like interlocking blocks or Lincoln logs, art materials like crayons and scissors, manipulatives like beads of different sizes for stringing, pegs and peg boards and sewing cards and puzzles.
Q. What are the categories of art materials?
Drawing materials: paper, crayons, nontoxic felt pens, pencils, paints Three-dimensional materials: play dough, clay, wood gluing or carpentry Collage materials and tools: safe scissors, staplers, hole punches and tape dispensers.
Q. Why is food not considered an acceptable art material?
Edible materials, such as chocolate pudding, dried pasta, pop corn, etc., cannot be counted as art materials because they give a misleading message about the proper use of food. The possible health (sanitary issues), safety (e.g., choking hazards) and supervision issues when using food as art materials are addressed in other areas of the scale. In addition, many children are being raised in homes where food cannot be wasted, and using food in art causes a conflict in the messages given at home and school.
Q. What are the types of blocks?
Unit Blocks: made of wood, plastic, foam or vinyl
Large, hollow blocks: made of wood, cardboard or plastic
Homemade blocks
Most blocks in a set should be at least 2 inches Note: Interlocking blocks of any size (such as legos), and blocks of less than 2" are not counted here, they are counted under fine motor.
Q. What materials do infants (birth to 11 months) need in a dramatic play area?
Infants need items like dolls, soft animals, pots and pans and toy telephones.
Q. What materials do toddlers (12 months to 2½ years) and older children need in a dramatic play area?
Toddlers and older children need items like dress-up clothes, child-sized furniture, cooking/eating equipment (pots and pans, dishes, spoons, etc.), play foods, dolls, doll furniture, soft animals, small play buildings with accessories and toy telephones.
Q. What are some themes for the dramatic play area?
Housekeeping, different kinds of work (like office, restaurant, medical), themes about fantasy (like masks, magic wands or costumes) and themes about leisure (like camping, picnicking or parties).
Q. What are the types of nature/science materials?
There are 4 types of nature/science materials:
- Collections of natural objects: such as seashells, leaves and rocks
- Living things: such as house plants, class pets or a window bird feeder
- Nature/science books, games and toys: these must represent nature realistically
- Nature/science activities: such as magnifying glasses with things to look at and planting or caring for a garden
Q. What are examples of math/number items?
There are 5 types of math/number items/materials:
- Counting: such as money in the dramatic play center or small objects to count
- Measuring: such as a balance scale with things to weigh or thermometers
- Comparing Quantities: such as nested cups, dominos or playing cards
- Recognizing shapes: such as geoboards or magnetic shapes
- Becoming familiar with written numbers: such as play telephones, number puzzles or a calendar
Q. What are TV/Video and computer time limits for children under 2?
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that children under the age of two should not be allowed to view television. TV/video and computer should not be used with children under 2 years old.
Q. What are TV/Video and computer time limits for children 2 years and older?
TV/video and computer time for children 2 years and over should be limited. For children 2 years and older, TV/Video time is limited to not more than 30 minutes total, once a week. Computer use time should be limited to no more than 15 minutes per day unless a child with disabilities requires computer technology or a school age child is working on a school assignment. No media screen time should be allowed during meals/snacks.