Work in Progress Sign Printable for the Classroom

This work in progress sign printable is perfect for saving the kids’ progress! I have several free preschool printables for you to check out, but this one is one of the most useful! Sometimes the kids want to save their incredible creations in the block center and this printable is a great way to preserve their work.

This is such a simple way to solve what can be a big problem in your preschool or kindergarten classroom! Students won’t be so concerned about their creations being ruined if they step away for a moment anymore. The sign has had a tremendously positive impact in my classroom. I’m sure you will find the same!

And it doesn’t take much to prep the printable work in progress sign! So you can have a few of these ready for your classroom by tomorrow.

Be sure to get your own copy of the work in progress sign at the bottom of this post.

Work in Progress Sign Printable

I have used this “work in progress” sign in the building center for years now.  It definitely makes a huge difference with the children.

Why Use a Work in Progress Sign in Your Classroom?

Kiddos put a lot into planning and creating structures in the building center!  So it makes sense that they get really upset if another child messes with their work.  I’ve noticed that some children also become anxious if they have to leave the building center earlier than planned.

I’ve noticed that the fear of someone breaking their creations makes kids a bit anxious when they move away from the center.  In the past, this has led to students not wanting to go to the bathroom in order to “protect” their building projects.  It’s also made it difficult for me to pull them to some one-on-one time with me during centers.

Having these “work in progress” signs has helped so much!  It gives the children a way to keep ownership over their structures.  Plus, it is a bright sign to other kiddos to just leave those blocks/materials alone!  The anxiety of walking away from building (to use the bathroom, get a drink, talk to a teacher, etc.) isn’t there with the center sign.  It may sound like such a little problem, but to a child it really is a big deal!

There was only one time (during an entire school year) where a child ignored the work in progress sign.  The friends around him actually gasped when they saw what had happened.  They even suggested he help rebuild the structure he’d torn apart or he should “maybe leave the building center.”

How to Use the Work in Progress Sign Printable

There’s not much to getting the work in progress sign ready for your classroom! Which makes this a win-win in my book.

Here’s what to do:

• Get your copy of the printable at the bottom of the post.
• Print as many copies as you’d like.
• Either print on cardstock or back the printable with construction paper (we used yellow).
• Laminate the work in progress sign for durability.

You can set the signs up in the centers you feel need them. I use them most in our preschool block center. Originally, I just had them placed on top of the blocks cart. But I found hole punching the signs and hanging them on Command Hooks worked the best.

Either way, kids just grab the sign if they need to leave their projects for a moment, lay the sign on or next to their work, and move along as needed!

You can get your own copy of this sign at the bottom of the printable.  Downloading and using my printables means you agree to my terms of use.

If you try out the sign, let me know how this works for you and your students!

Building Sets

Children LOVE getting to explore STEM concepts by building things. They like to use things like LEGOs, blocks, and random items they come across! Below, I’ve included some of my favorite building sets for preschoolers. Check them out (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post)!

Done-for-You Preschool Resources

Planning meaningful lessons for students week after week while balancing other teaching responsibilities and a personal life can be a daunting task. That’s where Preschool Teacher 101 comes in to save you time!

Preschool Teacher 101 has created some amazing preschool lesson and activity plans perfect for any preschool classroom. Click on the image below to learn more about our really helpful centers guide, complete with custom centers signs!

Join The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101 today for exclusive access to our amazing products. And we even have three different membership options to suit your needs!

Free Printable Work in Progress Sign

This free printable is available to members of Fun-A-Day’s free email community. If you’re a member, fill out the form below and the download links will be sent to your inbox. If you’re not a member, you can join us by entering your information in the form. Then you’ll receive the printable as a welcome gift!

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