Preschool classrooms are often bright, cheerful, and conducive to learning. Everything in the space gives students a chance to learn. Did you know that preschool cubbies not only help with organization, but also support a child’s independence as they grow? When you start with those skills early, they embed into a child and help them thrive as they age.
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The Connection Between Cubbies and Responsibility
Preschoolers are used to people doing a lot for them. Someone cooks for them, helps them get dressed, and ties their shoes. Preschool, according to The New York Times, is an important part of a child’s life when done right. Independence in preschoolers is a new thing, and preschool cubbies help them to grow their independent actions in a variety of ways:
- Promote Self-Management
Children are used to their parents managing them. It’s a part of growing up. Once they hit preschool, they can start managing parts of their own lives and go from there. Childhood organization allows kids to practice managing their own belongings in the way they see fit. Having their own cubby allows them to start those organization and self-management skills.
- Give Responsibility
Preschool cubbies encourage kids to put their own belongings away in their own personal space. When they are in charge of their belongings, they take care of them and are responsible for the placement and management of those items.
- Allow Self-Reliance
Young children are used to relying on others for tons of things. Childhood organization allows kids to rely on themselves for putting their own school supplies away. This is a small step toward independence as they learn. Forbes states that any parent wants to aid a child in becoming a responsible adult. That transfers into many aspects of life, even finances.
Building Self-Management Skills Through Routine
When you play with your child, have you ever noticed that they like to play the same games over and over again? They might have a favorite movie they watch endlessly. Children learn from repetition. Good habits can help to form independence in preschoolers. They create routines they carry throughout their lifetime.
Something as simple as having a cubby in preschool allows your child to create a routine, which in turn allows for self-management skills to grow.
Encouraging Decision-Making with Personalized Spaces
Everyone, both child and adult, makes thousands of decisions a day. But children are often directed as to which path they are to take. When they have a personal space through a cubby in the preschool classroom, they are encouraged to start making decisions for themselves.
As your child takes charge of their pencils, glue, backpack, lunch, and other such items in their cubby, they feel a sense of accomplishment. They have made good decisions, and they are organized well. That helps to boost their confidence and allows them to believe they are capable of making other decisions regarding their life.
Cubbies as a Tool for Social and Emotional Growth
Preschool cubbies aren’t isolated in various spots throughout the classroom. They are all together in one spot. As kids use the cubbies first and last thing, and throughout the day, they have a chance to grow socially. They talk with their classmates, show each other their backpacks, and grow on an emotional level.
Think of the cubby space as the water cooler. Kids go there to chat, catch up, and enjoy each other’s stories and company throughout the day.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Cubbies’ Benefits
There are many things a preschool student can do to maximize the space within their personal cubby. Here are some ideas to help:
Tip 1: Declutter
The teacher might ask the kids to declutter on occasion. Having a clean-up and clean-out day helps them to get rid of things they no longer need and have more space for the rest.
Tip 2: Allow Self-Organization
The cubby belongs to the child, and they should be allowed to organize it how they see fit. As long as their items fit and they aren’t encroaching on the space around them, they can organize the cubby however they’d like.
Tip 3: Highlight the Multiple Purposes
Let the children know that the cubbies have a lot of different purposes. They can use them to store their bags, coats, and lunches. They might also use them for papers, crafts to take home, and other items. When the child realizes how much the cubby holds, they are more likely to organize the space efficiently.
Wrapping It Up
Preschool cubbies from Little Partners® help with childhood organization and fostering independence in preschoolers. The cubby is a small part of the preschool learning process, but it can aid in decision-making, responsibility, and many other things that students will use as they grow into adults.
