Look for assorted building blocks and other construction materials, props for pretend play, picture books, paints and other art materials, and table toys such as matching games, pegboards and puzzles. Children should not all be doing the same thing at the same time. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day. They do not spend all their time with the whole group. The classroom is decorated with children's original artwork, their own writing with invented spelling, and stories dictated by children to teachers.
Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences.
The natural world of plants and animals and meaningful activities like cooking, taking attendance, or serving snack provide the basis for learning activities. Worksheets are used little if at all. Children have an opportunity to play outside every day. Outdoor play is never sacrificed for more instructional time. Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups throughout the day, not just at group story time.