Last school year, in Elisabeth Jackson’s Pre-K classroom at Lewisville ISD, learning comes alive through play. With support from the Ryland Homes Grant, the Waste Management of North Texas Grant, and the LISD Employee Giving Grant, Jackson transformed her classroom into an engaging environment filled with hands-on learning centers designed to spark curiosity and growth.
“Pre-Kindergarten learning centers play a crucial role in fostering holistic development by providing a nurturing environment where children can explore, learn, and grow,” Jackson said.
The grant funding provided materials that turned everyday lessons into meaningful, play-based learning experiences. ABC manipulatives help children recognize letters and understand alphabetical order, while educational math games make counting, sorting, and grouping fun and interactive. In the science center, simple experiments and observation tools encourage curiosity and build vocabulary.
Pretend-play materials inspire imagination, creativity, and language development, while sensory activities using different textures and materials help develop fine motor skills and descriptive language. Construction blocks and building materials foster teamwork, spatial awareness, and problem-solving as children plan and build together.
By incorporating these interactive learning stations, Jackson’s classroom meets LISD’s standards for developmentally appropriate instruction, allowing young learners to take ownership of their education while building the academic and social foundations they’ll carry into kindergarten and beyond.
