Thoughts About Children and Learning Centers in the Classroom

Learning centers are a great way to engage students in the classroom because this method of learning allows children to develop self-direction and self-motivation. To learn more about learning centers and how they can help children, read on.

Find available tutors

Children's Learning Centers: Basic Information

What Is a Learning Center?

A learning center is station set up in the classroom that allows students to learn independently. Typically, the center will contain a variety of educational materials and resources that are interesting to students and help build on the lessons they've been taught in class. At the station, the students will find self-guided instructions to complete activities. Often, students work in groups to complete the activity.

Types of Learning Centers

No two learning centers are exactly the same, and teachers can be creative in the formats they use for the centers in their classroom. In fact, some teachers create their learning centers after they've talked to their students about their needs and interests. However, the two main types of learning centers are skills centers and enrichment centers.

Skills Center

Skills centers are usually set up after the teacher has given the students an introductory lesson on a particular skill. At the center, various stations are set up for students to practice and apply the new skill they learned. The teacher will usually assign students to start at certain stations and the students will switch to a new station after mastering the station they were assigned to first.

Enrichment Center

Enrichment centers are designed to allow the students to choose their activities. Unlike skill centers, teachers don't usually dictate what stations students need to visit first. Rather, the stations are set up to accommodate the students' various learning styles. Furthermore, enrichment centers are usually used to engage students who work faster than others and who show quick mastery over certain skills and concepts.

Benefits of Learning Centers

Learning centers give students something constructive and educational to do when they've finished an assignment. This helps the overall class environment by keeping the children engaged and allowing the teacher the opportunity to work with individuals who may need extra help on an assignment or lesson. Second, the centers help foster student accountability by encouraging students to take a personal, active role in the learning process. Finally, learning centers help to differentiate instruction because students learn at different paces. Students who are ahead of others in the class can continue to learn at their own pace.

Did you find this useful? If so, please let others know!

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

  • More Blog Articles
    Nashville Students Will Now Rock (and Rap, DJ and More) in School

    Nashville is widely acclaimed for its music,and now the city is hoping to develop its musical spirit in generations of schoolchildren. With some high-powered help from locally-based stars, Nashville looks primed to bring contemporary music education into classrooms for years to come.

  • More Blog Articles
    Not Your Father's Algebra As 45 States Look to Math Reform

    One plus one will always equal two...but just how students are taught math is going to change. Nearly every state in the country has adopted the Common Core Standards; for math, this means new and more in-depth approaches to teaching the subject. Have we seen the last of traditional algebra and geometry classes?

We Found 7 Tutors You Might Be Interested In

Huntington Learning

  • What Huntington Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • One on one tutoring
  • Every Huntington tutor is certified and trained extensively on the most effective teaching methods
In-Center and Online

K12

  • What K12 offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Has a strong and effective partnership with public and private schools
  • AdvancED-accredited corporation meeting the highest standards of educational management
Online Only

Kaplan Kids

  • What Kaplan Kids offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Customized learning plans
  • Real-Time Progress Reports track your child's progress
Online Only

Kumon

  • What Kumon offers:
  • In-center tutoring
  • Individualized programs for your child
  • Helps your child develop the skills and study habits needed to improve their academic performance
In-Center and Online

Sylvan Learning

  • What Sylvan Learning offers:
  • Online and in-center tutoring
  • Sylvan tutors are certified teachers who provide personalized instruction
  • Regular assessment and progress reports
In-Home, In-Center and Online

Tutor Doctor

  • What Tutor Doctor offers:
  • In-Home tutoring
  • One on one attention by the tutor
  • Develops personlized programs by working with your child's existing homework
In-Home Only

TutorVista

  • What TutorVista offers:
  • Online tutoring
  • Student works one-on-one with a professional tutor
  • Using the virtual whiteboard workspace to share problems, solutions and explanations
Online Only

Our Commitment to You

  • Free Help from Teachers

  • Free Learning Materials

  • Helping Disadvantaged Youth