Page 11 - LESSION 15.pmd

Profile of an ECCE Centre

acceptance of diversity such as race, culture etc. The materials must also be
easily adaptable for facilitating learning in different development areas.
• Natural Material: A large range of natural materials can be used at the ECCE Notes
centre like pebbles, seed pods, sand, water, leaves and twigs, or plants. This
would also avoid large expenditure on buying expensive equipment and
toys. For example, inexpensive material like rope can be used to make
swings, ladders or hammocks.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 15.4

1. State whether the following statements are true or false:

(a) Leaf-plates cannot be used for serving meals.

(b) Use of materials like clay, blocks, pebbles etc. adds variety in the play.
(c) Safety and durability are the two major considerations while choosing
materials and equipment for an ECCE centre.

(d) Play materials of outdoor play cannot be made accessible for children
with disabilities.

2. Give two examples of procuring equipment for an ECCE centre on a low
budget.

3. Classify the following as indoor or outdoor equipment and materials: sand
pit, swings, fit-in puzzles, dolls, riding toys, collage materials, jungle-gym,
xylophones, radio and blocks.

15.3.3 Allocation of Equipment and Materials

Merely procuring the equipment and learning materials for the centre does not
ensure a joyful learning environment. They are selected and purchased with the
main purpose to give opportunities to children to explore and manipulate them.
They are not meant for display, demonstrations or decoration. For optimal hands-
on learning to take place, equipment and materials must be arranged so that
children have direct access to them. This visibility and accessibility ensures that
children see the available choices and reach out to them.

In this section, we will discuss some of the ways of appropriate allocation of
equipment and materials at the ECCE centre to make it an interesting place
promoting individual and small group experiences.

• If the centre is big enough, try to divide it into different activity areas like:
art and craft area, science and sensory area, block and puzzles area, music
and movement area, cooking area etc and then locate the materials according
to the requirement of the specific areas. Define area boundaries with low
shelves, blackboard or furniture.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 103