Feeling the struggle of keeping your self-contained classroom engaged? I get it. The same old file folder games and task boxes just weren’t cutting it when I needed focused time with other students. Even the classic blocks and playdoh needed a touch of structure. That’s when I birthed the idea of what I now call structured play centers.
What are structured play centers?
In our afternoon centers, structured play takes the spotlight. There are six fantastic activities on the menu: building blocks, dot art, geoboards, connecting cubes, pattern blocks, and play-doh. I’ve got visuals displaying all the choices on a board right by the center. Students take their pick, match it to the right bin, and dive in. Is free choice hard for your students? No problem. Assign a task by placing it next to their name. Remember that students are given many demands throughout the day; therefore, free choice during structured play is preferable. It gives students ownership over what they are doing.
How do I set it up?
Each center choice gets its own bin. The bins contain visual directions and any other manipulatives or supplies needed. My favorite bins to use for structured play are white dish bins found in the kitchen organizational aisle at Walmart. They cost about $1 each and are wide enough to fit many supplies.
Many of the supplies needed are probably found at your school, but here is a list just in case. (Affiliate Links)
What are the benefits of structured play?
These centers are a breeze for working on the following skills:
- fine motor
- visual perception
- following directions
- independent play
- social skills
Sure, some students might need some help at first, but watch out, they might just surprise you! When I introduced these centers to my crew, I expected they would need a lot of help. However, they rocked those visual directions. They played with pride and no hint of the “work” vibe.
Ready to check it out? See what these centers are all about. It’s a part of my classroom schedule that I couldn’t do without.
How does structured play fit into my school day?
Structured play can be used in many different ways in a self-contained classroom. They keep little hands busy and can be a supervised or independent part of your school day. Structured play centers can be used as:
- an independent station rotation
- a center run by paraprofessionals
- indoor recess
- morning bins
- fine motor tasks
I’ve had many autistic students over the years who need exposure to other play activities to learn new leisure skills. These play centers gave those students the perfect structure to teach them new play skills. I love using them in my classroom, and I think you will too!
Need more ideas for stations run by paraprofessionals in your classroom? Click here to hear all about it.
