1. Development appropriate Materials for kindergarten
2. Age range and grade level

The age range will be 4-5 years when the children leave the preschools and join kindergarten. The materials presented will be those that children in the kindergarten grade level may require in learning.

1. Characteristics of Developmentally Appropriate Materials

The developmental materials should be those that facilitate learning among children. They should also be safe to use.  Harmful materials may end up adversely affecting the child and limit their learning opportunities. Such materials should also be linked to the children’s interests Gestwicki, 2015). It is worth noting that if the children find such materials to be boring, they may not be enticed to use them.

1. Criteria and Guidelines for Choosing Learning Materials

When choosing learning materials, it is important to ensure that they are linked to learning outcomes.  This will ensure that they support the attainment of the teaching goals objectives. For instance, materials that children in kindergarten manually manipulate using their hands should be in a position to enhance their fine motor skills.

When selecting learning materials, they should be grade relevant. It is worth noting that students at different levels are taught different concepts (Gestwicki, 2015).  The teaching, materials should thus be supportive of such grade-specific learning outcomes. When selecting learning materials, it is important to ensure that they are age specific. For instance, the weight of objects that the children in kindergarten are provided to carry should not be heavy beyond their capability

When selecting learning materials, it is important to make sure that they are culturally relevant (Gestwicki, 2015).  The implication is that the choice of materials should reflect the backgrounds, knowledge, and experiences of such children. Students can easily associate with such materials

2. List of materials
3. Writing books: They enable the children to learn to spell words. They can fill gaps in words construction
4. Pattern blocks: They are used in the development of multiple patterns. It promotes cognitive including the logical evolution of the child (Hansen, & Hansen, 2010).
5. Trace and erase boards: They enable the students to trace images and then redraw them. This enhances their ability to handle writing instruments such as pens
6. Painting crayons: They enable the children to use multiple colors in the painting. This enhances their cognitive development
7. Plastic bars of different shapes: These bars enhance the spatial sense of children. They are able to discriminate from one shape to another, boosting their math skills
8. Large beads with different colors: The items will enable the child to separate items on the basis of color. They will also be used in boosting the counting capability of such children
9. Puzzles: Tracing the connection of object names with trace line enhance thinking among children. It enhances their ability to identify trends and patterns (Hansen, & Hansen, 2010).
10. Balance bench: The benches are low in height. The kindergarten can walk on such benches and maintain body balance. It enhances their motor development
11. Weights: Students are provided with objects of different weights. They identify the lightest and heaviest of them all
12. Dress up clothes: They encourage children to engage in role play. They also trigger conversations that promote language development
13. Mirror: At this stage, the children are normally egocentric. Mirrors enable them to experiment with reflections as well as pose facial expressions
14. Magnetic letters: They are used by children in word construction. They boost their language learning skills
15. Fine motor toolsets (stretching spring with fingers: They are simple elements that are used in motor practice. They prepare the children hands for writing practice
16. Plastic doctor needles: They are used by children in role play as doctors. They assist in introducing the children to basic science concepts such as health
17. Puppets: They are used in teaching various concepts such as movement. They increase understanding among children of the concepts that are being taught
18. Play Dough: students use it in modeling objects. It may have different scents to appeal to smell sensory element among children, introducing them to one of the common senses
19. Water cans with different temperatures: The items will provide a sense of touch to the students. They will be able to boost their learning of science by identifying low-temperature items and high-temperature items (Hansen, & Hansen, 2010).
20. Alphabet charts: The charts will enable the students to enhance language learning. It will increase their understanding of the alphabet
21. Carrot and sticks: They are used making toy animals. They enhance the knowledge of art and science concepts among children
22. Water tables: The children transfer water to various objects and pipes. It enhances the understanding of water properties
23. Ice: The children are able to learn water properties.
24. Color mixing materials: children mix different paints. Increase their knowledge of art and visual sense
25. Computer driving games: the children drive virtual vehicles using buttons. It enhances their fine motor skills
26. Ropes: students jump ropes. It enhances their motor skills
27. Human toys (Virtual lab school, 2019): The children touch different parts as per the teacher’s instructions. They are used in learning body parts.

References

Gestwicki, C. (2015). Developmentally appropriate practice: Curriculum and development in

early education. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning

Hansen, H. S., & Hansen, R. M. (2010). Lessons for literacy: Promoting preschool success. St.

Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.

Virtual lab school (2019). The environment materials. Retrieved from

https://www.virtuallabschool.org/preschool/learning-environments/lesson-4