Recommended Furniture, Furnishings,
and Materials
InFant/toddleR MateRIals GuIde
The infant/toddler classroom inventory is an excerpt with the South Carolina ABC Quality Child Care
from larger guidance documents developed to sup- Program Standards and the Infant Toddler Environ-
port a grant program initiated by the South Carolina mental Rating Scale–Revised Edition (Infant/Toddler
Department of Social Services to provide child care Inventory). For access to the complete document
programs with guidance in selecting materials to please direct your internet browser to Infant/Toddler
enhance the quality of services offered to young chil- Materials Guide:
dren and their families. The specific materials and [Link]/pdf/Infant_Toddler%20Materials%
quantities recommended through these guides align 20Guide
Parent Communication
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Message center (bulletin board, 1
binder, folders, etc.)
General Storage
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Cubbies or individual storage 1 per child
bins/baskets
Lockable cabinet or closet for As needed
teacher personal belongings
Closed storage for materials not As needed
in use
Lockable storage cabinet for 1
hazardous materials (knives,
sanitizer)
Diapering Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Heavy duty diapering table 1
w/6-in. high edge for safety
Waterproof & washable table pad 1
without seams on top
364
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Wall storage unit for diapering 1
supplies
Heavy duty trash can w/lid & 1
foot-operated opener
Steps to diapering surface (mobile 1
infants & older infants)
Eating Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Glider rockers or other adult 1 or 2
seating for feeding infants
Bottle warmer 1
Low chairs 1 per child
Low tables 1–2
Food service thermometer 1
Bibs 2 per infant
Small cups 2 per infant
Plates 2 per infant
Bowls 2 per infant
Baby forks and spoons 2 per infant
Serving utensils 2 sets
Serving plates 4
Serving bowls 4
Sleeping Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Cribs 1 per infant N/A N/A
Crib sheets 2 per infant N/A N/A
Evacuation cribs 1 per 5 infants N/A N/A
Mats or cots N/A 1 per infant
Mat or cot sheets N/A 2 per infant
Blankets N/A 1 per infant
Optional Sleeping Accessories
Cot carrier (dolly) N/A 1 per classroom
Cozy/Book Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Thick mat (2 mats placed side 1 or 2 as space allows
by side are hazardous because
infants can get wedged into
the crack)
Pillows (used with close super- Boppies for young infants 2–3
vision to prevent danger of
suffocation)
365
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Book holders—wall-hanging type 1 or 2
and/or book display shelf and/or
basket
Puppets, stuffed animals and/or 4 6 8
soft dolls
Assorted books (board, vinyl, At least 2 per At least 2 per At least 2 per
cloth) child child child
Manipulatives Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Containers Based on the materials present
Shelves (24-in. high) Based on the materials present
Cause-and-effect toys (pop-up Variety of these
toys, jack-in-the box, etc.) providing at least
Grasping toys (rattles, rings, 2 per child,
squeeze toys) including 4 sets
of exact
Stacking/nesting toys
duplicates
Shape sorters
Lacing toys (lacing beads, lacing N/A Variety of these providing
cards, etc.) at least 3 per child
Peg board set N/A
Simple puzzles with knobs N/A
(4–6 pieces)
Peg board set N/A
Interlocking toys (beads, blocks, N/A
rings, etc.)
Puzzles with knobs (6–10 pieces) N/A
Puzzles without knobs, including N/A
framed and floor puzzles
Hammering toys N/A
Dramatic Play Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Low storage shelves Select as needed
Storage bins Select as needed
Mirror 1
Cloth dolls (varying skin tones) 2
Stuffed animals 2
Plastic dolls 2
Phones Select 3–5 items 2
Toy cooking utensils (pots, pans, 1 set
spatulas, large spoons)
Toy flatware (forks, spoons, knives) 1 set
Toy dishes (plates, bowls) 1 set
366
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Bags, (purses, briefcases, toolbag) N/A 2–3
Toy food N/A 1 set
Dress-up clothing (community N/A 4 articles of clothing
helpers, fantasy, etc.)
Toy kitchen (stove, oven, N/A 2 pieces
refrigerator, etc.)
Small table and 2 chairs N/A 1 set
Blocks Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Low storage shelves Select as needed
Storage bins Select as needed
Soft blocks 10 blocks
Large cardboard blocks N/A 10 blocks
Wooden unit blocks N/A 25 75
Cars or trucks N/A 4
Toy animals N/A 1 set (6–12 figures)
Road signs N/A 1 set
Community figures N/A 1 set (6–12 figures)
Art Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Low storage shelves Select as needed
Storage bins Select as needed
Easel Art activities 1
using tools are
Paint brushes 6–8
not recommended
Child-safe scissors for children under 6–8
Smocks 9 months 6–8
Play-doh tools (cookie cutters, 1 set
rollers, etc.)
Sensory/Science Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Low storage shelves Select as needed
Storage bins Select as needed
Teething toys 10
Aquarium 1
Tracking tube (mounted on an 1
incline)
Sensory table N/A 1
Sensory table accessories N/A 10 items
(shovels, cups, funnels, sifters, etc.)
367
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Items that float and sink (separate N/A 10 items
items)
Live plants N/A 2
Light table N/A 1
Classroom pet/supplies N/A 1
Magnets (large enough that N/A 1 set
children cannot swallow)
Music Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Low storage shelves Select as needed
Storage bins Select as needed
Rattles, squeaking toys 10 items
CDs (variety of genres) 3 genres
Musical instruments 1 per child
Scarves, ribbons 6
Music player (CD, MP3, etc.) 1
Indoor/Active Play Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Low storage shelves Select as needed
Storage bins Select as needed
Assorted balls 6–8
Large vinyl covered climbing 1
structure
Thick mat 1
Tunnel N/A 1
Push toys N/A 4
Pull toys N/A 4
Rocking boat/stairs N/A 1
Loft (toddler size) N/A 1
Bean bags with bucket N/A 1 set
Outdoor Play/Active Area
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Parachute 1
Multiple-child stroller 1
Outdoor mats/blanket 1 to 2
Balls 10
Baskets to carry materials outside As needed
Tricycles N/A 3–5
Push toys N/A 3
368
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Young Infants Mobile Infants Older Infants
Pull toys N/A 3
Scooters—no pedals N/A 3
Foot-propelled vehicles N/A 2
Sandbox N/A 1
Sand toys N/A 10 items
Toddler size climbing structure N/A 1
PReschool MateRIals GuIde
The preschool classroom inventory is an excerpt from through these guides align with the South Carolina
a larger document developed to support a grant pro- ABC Quality Child Care Program Standards and the
gram initiated by the South Carolina Department of Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale–Revised
Social Services to provide child care programs with Edition (Preschool Inventory). For access to the com-
guidance in selecting materials to enhance the quality plete documents please direct your Internet browser
of services offered to young children and their families. to Preschool Materials Guide:
The specific materials and quantities recommended [Link]/pdf/Preschool%20Materials%20Guide
General Use Furniture
Furniture and Storage
Child-sized tables (so that seated children’s elbows reach the At least 2
tabletop)
Child-sized chairs (so that seated children’s feet touch the floor) 20
Cubbies 20
Mats or cots 20
Adult chair 1
Lockable storage (for hazardous/toxic cleaning supplies, materials 1
not in current use, and teachers’ possessions)
Block Center
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelf As needed
Containers for materials As needed
Carpet—solid color and tight weave 1
369
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Materials to Support Learning
Unit blocks (hardwood) 1 set (200–300 blocks of
various shapes and sizes )
Family figures (multiethnic) (6–8 figures) 1 set
Community workers or career people (multiethnic) (6–8 figures) 1 set
People with physical impairments (6–8 figures) 1 set
Cars (4–6 cars) 1 set
Trucks (4–6 trucks) 1 set
Specialized blocks (tabletop blocks, door and window blocks, 2 sets
colored blocks, etc.)
Animals (jungle, forest, domesticated, farm, aquatic): large 3 or 4 sets
and/or small
Community vehicles (4–6 vehicles) 1 set
Traffic signs 1 set
Dinosaurs (4–10) 1 set
Wooden train & track 1 set
Specialized blocks (large hollow blocks, see-through blocks) 1 set
Dramatic Play Center
Furniture and Storage
Kitchen set—either four separate pieces, which will also set off 1
the area, or a one-piece unit
Small table and chairs (table & 2–4 chairs) 1
Wooden rocking chair (child size) 1
Storage shelves As needed
Containers to keep materials organized As needed
Child-size sofa and/or chair(s) 1–2
Materials to Support Learning
Multiethnic dolls (w/removable clothing or diapers, bibs, and 2 each gender
bottles as appropriate)
Doll bed & bedding (at least 1 blanket) 1
Dishes (1 place setting for each child allowed in the center) 1 set
Plastic flatware (1 place setting for each child allowed in the 1 set
center)
Pots and pans (one large pot, one small pot, one frying pan) 1 set
Cooking utensils (4–5 pieces) 1 set
Mirror (unbreakable) 1
Pretend food 1 set
Dress-up items 5
Phones 1–2
Containers to keep materials organized As needed
Pretend iron & ironing board (child size) 1
Doll high chair 1
Child-size sofa and/or chair(s) 1
House-cleaning tools (e.g., broom, dust pan, brush, vacuum, 1 set
mop, duster)
370
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Materials to Support Learning (Continued)
Prop boxes developed around scenarios: grocery store, office, Several
hospital, pet store/veterinarian, firefighter, post office/mail
carrier, etc.
Newspapers & magazines 3–5
Art Center
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelf 1
Small table and chairs (table & 4–6 chairs) (count toward room 1
essentials)
Double easel w/clips to hold paper 1
Materials to Support Learning
12-in. paint brushes (six 1-in. wide bristles, six ½-in. wide bristles, 1 ½ doz.
six ¼-in. wide bristles)
Blunt point scissors (metal, not plastic) 1 doz.
Large scissors (adult use) 1
Paint cover-ups (can be old shirts provided by donation) 6
Paint drying rack 1
Paint cups with lids 1 doz.
Play-Doh tools (i.e., rolling pins & cookie cutters; at least 1 tool 1 set
per child)
Lap chalkboards or whiteboards w/erasers 4
Trays for finger painting (1 per child) 1 set
Paper punches 4–6
Alternative painting utensils 1 doz.
Stampers & stamp pads 1 set
Staplers & staples 2
Manipulatives Center
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelf 1
Small table and chairs (table & 4–6 chairs) (count toward room 1
essentials)
Open storage containers (one for each set of materials) As needed
Materials to Support Learning
Lego or Duplo blocks (larger size for younger children) 1 set
Counting cubes 1 set
Unifix cubes 1 set
Tower building set 1
Snap blocks 1 set
Magna-tiles 1 set
Bristle blocks 1 set
Ring construction set 1
371
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Materials to Support Learning (Continued)
Tall stacker pegs 1 set
Jumbo connecting disks 1 set
Pipes to connect 1 set
Gears 1 set
Tinkertoys 1 set
Manipulatives
Assorted math manipulatives (bears, dinosaurs, vehicles, etc.) 1 set
Sorting trays 2
25-hole peg boards 4
Large round pegs—100 1 box
Beads (various shapes/colors) and laces (larger size for younger 1 set
children)
Plastic/wood nuts & bolts 1 set
Sewing cards w/strings 1 set
Soft counters 1 set
Small peg boards & pegs 2
Lacing shapes 1 set
Locks & latches 1 set
Nesting toys 1 set
Puzzles & Games
Pattern blocks w/picture cards 1 set
Shape puzzle 1
Wooden puzzles (assorted) varying difficulty (6–26 pieces) 6
including knob puzzles
Number puzzles 1 set
Dominoes 1 set
Lotto, memory, or bingo games 2
Floor puzzles 1 or 2
Additional game 1
Giant pattern blocks 1 set
Sound boxes 1 set
Smelling bottles 1 set
Feely box 1
Literacy/Book/Library Center
Furniture and Storage
Book display shelf 1
Storage shelf As needed
Pillows & cushions 2
Mat or carpeting 1
Materials to Support Learning
Assorted books 25
Flannel board 1
Flannel board story sets 2–3
372
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Materials to Support Learning (Continued)
Additional books 25
Book & CD 2–3 sets
Big books 2–3
Assorted puppets (family, animals, community helpers, etc.) 4–6
Science/Discovery Center
Furniture and Storage
Storage/display shelf 1
Small table & chairs (table & 4 chairs; may count toward room 1
essentials)
Open storage containers 1 for each set of materials
Materials to Support Learning
Color paddles 1 set
Sink & float items (2–3 items that float & 2–3 items that sink) 1 set
Magnifiers 1 set
Living things to take care of (plants, animals, outdoor garden) 3–5
Magnets 1 set
Collections of natural objects 3–5
Trays to hold collections for examination 3–5
Balance scale 1
Prisms 2
Kaleidoscopes 2
Bug house 1
Mirror trays 1 set
Realistic plastic animals 1 set
Science games 2
Science books 2–3
Music and Movement Center
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelf 1
Open storage containers 1 for each set of materials
Materials to Support Learning
CD player (equipped for use with headphones) 1
Headphones w/adapter plug to use both at the same time 2 sets
Rhythm instruments (1 instrument per child) 1 set
Drums 2
CDs—assorted styles of music: classical, multicultural, folk, and 6–12
children’s music.
Digital voice recorder 1
Xylophone 1
Additional rhythm sticks, bells, shakers, or drums 5–10
Dance & movement props (ribbons, scarves, streamers) 1 per child
373
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Sand and Water Center
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelf As needed
Storage containers As needed
Sand/water table w/lid 1
Materials to Support Learning
Waterproof smocks 4–6
Large spoons, scoops, and/or shovels (at least 2 items per child 1 set
in the center)
Sieves or strainers 2
Boats 1 set
Sand/water wheels 1 set
Water pump 1
Basters 2
Funnels (1 per child in center) 1 set
Molds (2 per child in center) 1 set
Vehicles for sand play (1 per child in center) 1 set
Bubble wands (1 per child in center) 1 set
Computer Center
Furniture and Storage
Computer desk—child sized 2
Chairs—child sized, or bench seating for two with one additional 2
chair
Materials to Support Learning
Computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, mouse pad 1
Earphones 2
Age-appropriate software programs 2–3
Printer 1
Additional software programs 2–3
Outdoors
Furniture and Storage
Storage containers As needed
Materials to Support Learning
Wagon 1
Tricycles, or riding toys without pedals 2
Balls 4–5
Plastic hand shovels 4–5
Sand sifters 4–5
Large trucks 1 set
Parachute 1
Jump ropes 2–3
Hoops 2–3
374
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Materials to Support Learning (Continued)
Riding toys (additional tricycles, scooters, wagon) 1–2
Large traffic signs, traffic cones 1 set
Balance beam 1
Water table 1
Gigantic building materials 1 set
Rocking boat 1
Air pump 1
Buckets and wide paint brushes (at least 2 in., for “painting” 4–5
w/water)
school-aGe MateRIals GuIde
The School-Age Materials Inventory presented in this of Social Services. The specific items and quantities
text is (at the time of this printing) still in development listed have been intentionally aligned with the School-
and was funded by the American Recovery and Rein- Age Environmental Rating Scale and the South Carolina
vestment Act through the South Carolina Department ABC Quality Child Care Program.
Classroom Essentials
Child-sized tables (so that seated children’s elbows reach the At least 2
tabletop)
Child-sized chairs (so that seated children’s feet rest on the floor) 1 per child
Cubbies 1 per child
Mats or cots 1 per child
Adult chair
Lockable storage (for hazardous/toxic cleaning supplies, materials
not in current use, teachers’ possessions)
Blocks/Building
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelves As needed
Containers for storage As needed
Materials to Support Learning
Blocks (large hollow wooden) 1 set (18–20 pcs per set)
Blocks (unit building blocks) intermediate set 1 set (118–200 pcs per set)
Carpet square/rug 1
Cars 1 set (at least 10 pcs)
Trucks 1 set (at least 10 pcs)
Traffic signs 1 set (at least 10 pcs)
Lincoln Logs 1 set
Large sheets or canvas for creating caves or tents
Specialized blocks (tabletop blocks, door & window blocks, 2 sets
colored blocks, etc.)
375
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Blocks/Building (Continued)
Family figures (multiethnic) 1 set
Community workers or career people (multiethnic) 1 set
Animals (jungle, forest, domesticated, farm, or wild): large 3–4 sets
and/or small
Dinosaurs 1 set
Wooden train & track 1set
Specialized blocks (large hollow blocks, see-through blocks) 1 set
Dramatic Play
Furniture and Storage
Containers to keep materials in As needed
Costumes/dress-up clothes 6
Mirror 1
Prop boxes such as beauty parlor, restaurant, doctor, grocery 4 or more
store, office, hospital, pet store/veterinarian, firefighter, post
office/mail carrier, etc.
Materials to Support Learning
Tables & chairs Seating for 4
Dishes & flatware 1 place setting for each
child allowed in the center
Pots & pans 1 set
Toy food 1 set
Cooking utensils 1 set of 4–5 pieces
Kitchen set 4 separate pieces
Phones 1–3
Multiethnic dolls (w/removable clothing or diapers, bibs, & bottles 2 each gender
as appropriate)
Doll bed & bedding At least 1
Doll high chair 1
Wooden rocking chair (child size) 1
Toy iron & ironing board (child size) 1
Child-size sofa and/or chair(s) 1
House-cleaning tools (e.g., broom, dust pan, brush, vacuum, 1 set
mop, duster)
Newspaper & magazines 3–5
Art and Crafts Creative Construction
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelves As needed
Containers for storage As needed
Table (counts toward room essentials) 1
Materials to Support Learning
Chairs (counts toward room essentials) 4–6
Double easel w/clips to hold paper 1
Paint (assorted colors) 6 (different colors)
12-in. paint brushes (six 1-in. wide bristles, six ½-in. wide bristles, 1-1/2 doz.
six ¼-in. wide bristles)
376
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Art and Crafts Creative Construction (Continued)
Paint cups with lids 1 doz.
Paint cover-ups (can be old shirts provided by donation) 6
Paint drying rack 1
Blunt-point scissors (metal, not plastic) 1 doz.
Large scissors (adult use) 1
White paper for painting 3 pks
Construction paper (assorted colors) 3 pks
Markers 3 boxes
Crayons 3 boxes
Stamper pad 1 set (approx 9)
Stamps (assorted) 1 set (approx 20)
Glue 6
Tape & dispenser 2
Stapler & staples 2
Hole puncher 2
Magazines Variety
Play-Doh Assorted colors
Play-Doh tools (i.e., rolling pins & cookie cutters) At least 1 tool per child
Craft items (such as pom-poms, textured collage shapes, fun Variety (6 items)
foam sheets, pipe stems, etc.)
Lap chalkboards or whiteboards with erasers 4
Trays for finger painting (1 per child) 1 set
Paper punches 4–6
Alternative painting utensils 1 doz.
Scissors (crinkle-cut/craft) 12
Modeling clay
Paper cutter with fixed blade 1
Glitter 6 assorted colors
Needles, thread, yarn, velcro, fabric Variety
Camera & film or digital camera with memory 1
Math/Manipulatives/Puzzles/Games
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelves As needed
Table 1
Chairs 4–6
Containers for storage 1 for each set of materials
Small Building Toys
Lego or Duplo blocks (larger size for younger children) 1 set
Counting cubes 1 set
Unifix cubes 1 set
Tower-building set 1
Snap blocks 1 set
Tinkertoys or K’Nex 1 set
377
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Small Building Toys
Magna-tiles 1 set
Thistle blocks 1 set
Ring construction set 1
Tall stacker pegs 1 set
Jumbo connecting disks 1 set
Pipes to connect 1 set
Manipulatives
Assorted math counters (bears, dinosaurs, vehicles, etc.) 1 set
Sorting trays 2 or more
Beads and buttons (various shapes/colors) and laces (larger size 1 set
for younger children)
Plastic/wood nuts and bolts 1 set
Gears 1 set
Weaving frame 2
Soft counters 1 set
Locks and latches 1 set
Triolo workshop 1
Spirograph 2
Puzzles & Games
Shape puzzles (assorted) varying difficulty 1 set
Jigsaw puzzles (assorted) varying difficulty 6
Number puzzles (assorted) varying difficulty 1 set
Games (e.g., memory, checkers, dominos) 1 set each
Math-related tools: calculators, abacas, protractors, compasses 2 of each type
Tools for measuring: cups, spoons, containers, scales, rulers, A variety of these items
tape measurers, yardsticks, etc.
Time-awareness materials: clocks, kitchen timers, sand timers, A variety of these items
timelines, etc.
Floor puzzles (assorted) varying difficulty 2 or more
Toy money 2 sets
Cash register 1
Patterning materials: pattern blocks w/picture cards, pegs and A variety of these items
pegboards, cut-out shapes, geoboards
Board games of varying levels of difficulty, such as Candy Land, 8
Chutes and Ladders, Sorry, Connect Four, Monopoly, Scrabble,
Jenga, Checkers, Pick Up Sticks, jacks, marbles, etc.
Playing cards (standard deck and specialized games such as 3 or more
Uno, Concentration, Guess Who, Old Maid, Go Fish, Crazy
Eights, etc.)
Science/Discovery
Furniture and Storage
Storage/display shelf As needed
Table (may count toward room essentials) 1
Chairs (may count toward room essentials) 2–4
378
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Science/Discovery (Continued)
Open storage containers 1 for each set of materials
Trays to hold collections for examination 2–3
Materials to Support Learning
Mirror trays 1 set
Kaleidoscopes 2
Color paddles 1 set
Living things to take care of—plants, small animals, garden 3–5
Microscope & magnifiers 1
Collections of natural objects 3–5
Magnets 2
Thermometer (alcohol only) 1
Aquarium &/or terrarium 1
Ant farm 1
Balancing scale 1
Butterfly nets 2
Sink and float items 6
Outdoor thermometer 1
Classroom safe science specimens 1 set (4)
Greenhouse kit 1
Prisms 3
Gardening tools 2 sets
Rain gauge 1
Eye droppers, tweezers, sifters, funnels 2 or more of each
Weather chart 1
Maps & globe 1 or more of each
Books, magazines, field guides about nature/science Variety
Library/Cozy Area/Home Like Area
Furniture and Storage
Book display shelf 1
Storage shelves As needed
Soft items such as bean bag, big cushions, etc. 2
Materials to Support Learning
Carpet square/rug 1
Assorted books (for age 5 and up) in the following categories: At least 1 book for every
fantasy, factual, stories about people, animals and nature/science, child; at least 1 book from
differing cultures & abilities each category
Puppets 4
Magnetic write & wipe board with markers 1
Word magnets 1
Magazines (age appropriate for children such as Stone Soup: 3 or more
The Magazine for Children, Highlights for Children, National
Geographic, Children’s Digest, Kreative Kids. Age appropriate
for teens, such as Young Miss, Boys Life, Girls Life, Teen, etc.)
Flannel board 1
Flannel board story sets 2–3
379
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Library/Cozy Area/Home Like Area
Book and CD 2–3 sets
Big books 2–3
Assorted puppets (family, animals, community helpers, etc.) 4–6
Couch or loveseat or rocking chairs 1–2
Music and Movement
Furniture and Storage
Storage shelf As needed
Open storage containers 1 for each set of materials
Materials to Support Learning
CD player (equipped with head phones) 1
CDs (assorted styles of music: classical, multicultural, folk, and 6 or more
children’s music)
Headphones w/adapter plug to use both at the same time 2
Digital voice recorder 1
Movement & activity CDs for children 3
Dance items such as scarves, ribbons, streamers At least 1 for each child
Rhythm instruments (sticks, bells, shakers, drums, etc.) At least 1 for each child
Xylophone 1
Sand and Water Center
Furniture and Storage
Sand/water table w/lid 1
Storage containers 1 for each set of materials
Materials to Support Learning
Waterproof smocks 4–6
Large spoons, scoops, shovels, cups, pitchers At least 1 for each child
Sieves, strainers, funnels 2 of each
Boats 1 set
Sand/water wheels 1 set
Water pump 1
Basters, eye droppers, squeeze bottles 2 of each
Molds 1 per child
Vehicles for sand play 1 per child
Bubble wands 1 per child
Homework Area
Computer desk—child sized 4–6
Chairs—child sized, or bench seating for two with one additional chair At least 1 for each child
Furniture and Storage
Paper & pencils Variety
Dictionary 1
Thesaurus 1
380
Recommended Furniture, Furnishings, and Materials
Homework Area (Continued)
Computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, mouse pad 1
Earphones 1 for each computer
Software programs Variety
Printer 1
Outdoor Area
Storage As needed
Wagon 1
Tricycles, or riding toys without pedals 2
Balls 4–6
Plastic hand shovels 2–3
Parachute 1
Jump ropes 2–3
Hoops 2–3
Riding toys (additional tricycles, scooters, wagon) 1–2
Large traffic signs, traffic cones 1 set
Balance beam 1
Water table 1
Gigantic building materials 1 set
Rocking boat 1
Air pump 1
Sources: Parts 1 and 2, Infant/Toddler Materials Guide and Preschool Materials Guide were devel-
oped by Herman T. Knopf and Kerrie L. Welsh, University of South Carolina. Used by permission of
the University of South Carolina. Part 3, School Age Materials Guide, was prepared by the USC Child
Development Research Center. Used by permission of the University of South Carolina.
381