How to set up and maintain Centers with young children

Working with preschoolers in large groups is nerve wracking. If you are working on the same project with six children they will more than likely need your help all at the same time. Which is really hard at the beginning of the year while you are teaching them to wait their turn.

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So, working at centers is what works for multi-aged groups. The reason is because they have an easier time focusing on a task with fewer people at the center. They are only at the center at the most ten minutes and they switch to a new activity. It keeps them from being in one place for too long and from getting bored.
Separating them is not done by age range but my abilities. You also do not keep them in the same group the entire year. You move them around as needed. If they need to work on speaking skills and there is another child who has excellent social skills you pair them together. It will help the other child increase their speaking and both will learn to work with a new friend. 
As they all work at the different centers you work your way through them checking on progress and giving encouragement. You want to encourage them to do as much on their own as they can but provide guidance so they will not become frustrated. 
The video below is one example of how I manage centers. This day we only had two centers. Working on shoe art and learning to write the letter H. 

The set up should have at least one activity that is hands on. I try to have one on the floor. I do not want them to stay at the tables if they can learn the same skill by having the ability to move around on the floor and fidget. Children need to be able to fidget and move around during certain learning activities if we want the information to sink in. 
You set up Mother Goose Time with centers by taking activities that can be set up for partner work. For example Lesson 16: 
Art Center: Wax Resist Art 
Math: Wash and Count 
Reading Center: Shaving Cream writing. 
You have one or two children at each center and set a time for 10 minutes. Or you can work until the children are done at both centers and then switch. 

Keep on teaching! 
Ms. Tessie 
*I receive Mother Goose Time in return for an honest review.