Classroom centres offer children the ability to develop their literacy skills through play-based learning (Bowden, 2005; Neuman & Roskos; Wellhousen & Giles, 2005). Through centres, children can engage in authentic literacy experiences that have meaning to their lives. Authentic and functional literacy experiences could be included in a number of ways, such as incorporating notes pads and recipe books at the kitchen centre and measuring tapes, pencils and drafting paper at the building centre.

 

When designing centres for literacy, educators are encouraged to think beyond having a designated writing centre to embedding literacy materials abundantly throughout the classroom (Curtis & Carter, 2003). In this way, students are able to make connections between literacy and different actions, activities and parts of their lives.