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From Our Educators

Educator Articles

Storage and Room Management with Tubs

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Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed.

Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed.

10/24/2014 

As a home provider, before I turned my family room into a preschool style classroom, storage was always a problem. As a teacher my ability to switch out toys on a regular basis was constrained by, a lack of storage space. In my home my laundry room was my storage area, but to keep things tidy I developed a system using tubs with lids for easy stacking. We would call those curriculum tubs now. Each tub had a purpose, and because they were clear I did not have to waste time lifting lids to see what was inside.  

The learning area they are associated with can be closed or done by simply putting on the lid. Arranging learning spaces is easy as tubs can be set up anywhere. They are excellent for outdoor classroom time. On sunny days we might spend almost the whole day outside learning.  When I set out sand and water, which I did every day, they would be placed on individual towels on a vinyl floor area. When done, I simply emptied the water, put the lid on the sand and set them away. Each tub had a representation (picture) of what the activity was when it was time for a group clean up. Below are examples of tubs that I have created for when children visit my home. They are easy to retrieve and easy to store.         

It was easy to create specific tubs based on the interests of the children. I had tubs for each child, dress-up, blocks, books, science, outdoors, sensory, math, cars, music, art, dramatic play (which worked with dress-up) a water tub, sand tub, and a tubs for individual curriculums. For easy stacking I would get tubs with the same width and length, but the depth would depend on its’ purpose. The tubs fit onto low tables, shelves or standing alone for easy use. Sometimes I used the tub itself as a table to display the activity, then easily put it away when done. If storage is a problem I suggest clear tubs. They can be stored inside, or in outside storage. 

  

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Further Reading

• 10 Prop Box Ideas: Mini Learning Centers at Home,  by Laura J. Colker, NAEYC
  

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