What are Action LABS?

Action LABS is a concept designed by National Board Certified Teacher, Cynthia Brawner, in 2005.  Its concept is to give a "facelift" to the traditional classroom learning center and to provide a tracking system for area monitoring.   It's designed to be mobile or stationary; to be used by children beginning at age 3 and for early childhood professional working with children beginning at age 0.

Why were Action LABS created?

Many years ago Cynthia Brawner felt there had to be another way to get young children involved in the "centers" in a more meaningful with a greater impact manner.  In her own classroom she wanted to move from the traditional to the innovative; centers on wheels and change to action lab.

 What does Action LABS mean?

Action is the movement young children will engage in as they work in Learning Areas for Budding Scientists.  Think about it.The definition for action is "an act that one characterized by physical or mental activity".   The definition for Lab, other than being an abbreviation for laboratory, it is "a place for practice, observation, or testing.  Any place, situation, set of conditions, or the like, conducive to experimentation, investigation, observation, etc."

What makes Action LABS so different?

Action LABS is different in many ways; its name and concept.  The name derived from great thoughts.  The question Miss Brawner asked herself, "What really happens in a learning center?"  After many months of observing young children, researching learning centers, Miss Brawner realized that young children are constantly moving, manipulating, drawing conclusions, and just having fun.  Considering all of the findings and wanting to have a catchy name; Action LABS was born.  The concept is to take some of the "learning centers" out of the center and place it in a more mobile aspect, a wheeled, drawer cart.

How are Action LABS used?

Action LABS is manageable by adults and children beginning at age 3.  Adults working with children beginning at age 0 can implement the Action LABS concept by completing the necessary Action LABS response cards.  Children, beginning at age 3, can utilize the mobile carts and complete the age appropriate response cards.

 How do I get an Action LABS kit?