How Quality PreK Classroom Furniture Can Launch Successful, Lifelong Learners

Perhaps the Most Important Year

Unlike preschool, which is tailored for kids between the ages of 2 and 4, PreK is for 4- and 5-year-olds. It’s meant to take place the year before kindergarten to prepare children for the academic, social and emotional challenges ahead.

It’s a foundational year, for sure, according to Suzanne Bouffant, education researcher and early education author. For most children, PreK provides their initial exposure to school.

“They develop certain feelings, perceptions and ideas about school. It’s a great opportunity to get kids off on the right foot,” Bouffant explained. Or, in a few cases, create “enduring negative emotions about school.” She believes it’s not enough to look at whether kids do PreK, but how it’s done.

“Quality,” she said, “really matters.”

At Stake: Improving Kids’ Lives

Many researchers agree with Bouffant, and they support the push for universal preschool and/or PreK. Student participation often correlates to higher standardized test scores, reduced special education placement, and increased high school graduation rates. Though something even more important may be percolating, according to a May 2021 NPR report.

“There's growing evidence that preschool can permanently improve kids' lives — but it's not necessarily because it makes them smarter. It seems more related to making them more disciplined and motivated ...”

Obviously, adequate teacher training, staffing, curriculum and funding hugely impact PreK quality. But one thing educations can control is creating the optimum PreK physical environment.

Furnishing to Foster Safe, Welcoming, Inspired PreK Spaces

Creating a great PreK classroom requires a thoughtful curation of furniture that conveys, “You belong.” It should also be fun and foster curiosity and a love of learning. It’s about striking the right balance between preschool’s heavy emphasis on play-based learning at classroom activity centers (and outdoors) and kindergarten’s more structured, teacher-led learning. This quote also applies to PreK classrooms:

“The value of creating an optimal classroom space for preschoolers should not be underestimated,” according to an article for Early Care and Education (ECE) professionals. “The way you arrange and organize your preschool classroom can have a big impact on safety, learning and behavior.”

The goal: Furnish for kindergarten readiness, but also know that vast academic and SEL differences exist in PreK. That can include separation anxiety, impulse control and focus issues.