SPECIALIZED ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN:

PRESCHOOL ENVIRONMENT & CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

PSYC 3980 – R10Jillian Beaumont

Samantha BraganzaJill Hilliard

Michelle PhamLeslie Wong

INTELLECTUAL GROWTH

WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT

THE DESIGNS OF A PRESCHOOL?

Designs aimed to improve children’s readiness for school Allows the children to ease in from culture in home to culture outside of home

SHOULD PRESCHOOLS BE

INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOLS?

OUTSIDE Studies show that out-of-

school preschools (in community settings) lead to families to be more engaging.

More flexible & welcoming for families to interact with teachers & children.

INSIDE In-school allows children

to adjust to the settings

FULL-DAY/PART-DAY PROGRAMS

FULL-DAYSeveral studies predicted that full-day programs may expose children with too much educational input .

PART-DAYA study implied that half-days are too short to allow the children to retain the knowledge learned that day .

TEACHERS Teachers with BA degrees

specifically in early childhood education results in a HIGHER QUALITY OF LEARNING for the children.

Focused training and professional development (for early childhood) practices leads to BETTER LINGUAL INTERACTIONS WITH CHILDREN.

Teacher’s level of depression:Can lead to negative interactions, harshness and withdrawal.

CHILD-TEACHER RATIO

Lower ratio promotes better process quality and experiences for the children.

Lower ratio allows teacher to be more sensitive to the children.

Higher concentration of children in poverty leads to lower levels of quality learning.

EMOTIONAL GROWTH

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRESCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

TO PROMOTE GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Small classrooms and group sizes High adult to child ratios Allow parents to be a part of

school committees and decisions Competent and educated

teaching staff

NOISE LEVEL Design school areas away

from local traffic spots (i.e. highways).

Having smaller class sizes also serves to decrease overall ambient noise.

Too much noise is detrimental to children’s learning.

COLOURS & LIGHTING

Having a VARIED COLOUR SCHEME is important:Use combination of neutral and bright colours.

Too many bright colours can be distracting.

NATURAL LIGHT STIMULATES LEARNING:Windows and doors should be redesigned to provide natural

light.

GOAL ACTIVITYPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

When designing an early education environment, it is important to set goals and activities, and have the environment reflect their major characteristics.

PHYSICAL GROWTH

ACTIVE LIVING: An approach that encourages people to be physically active everyday

ACTIVE LIVING CHILDREN

Many aspects go into designing the environment in a preschool to promote healthy living and encourage physical exercise.

Designers adjust the environment to provide

INTERESTING CHALLENGING SAFE

DESIGN FACTORS

areas for physical activity.

APPROPRIATE SPACEProvide spacious and varied indoor and outdoor

areas to promote physical activity

ENCOURAGE INCLUSION

The environment needs to reassure children and encourage inclusion of ALL children.

IDEAL PHYICAL ENVIRONMENT

Structured so that children can explore safely on their own while still having a sense of adventure

and discovery.

LEVEL OF ABILITYMeet different physical ability levels of the members, including children with physical

limitations and disabilities.

STIMULATING & DYNAMIC

Direct children towards activities that will stimulate and interest them to seek strength

building exercises.

Environment needs to be dynamic in order to maintain the interest of the children as their

physical capabilities increase.

FROM THIS … TO THIS!

Designing Preschool Environment has become an Interdisciplinary Team

Effort!

Higher ceilings keep ambient noise level down and helps kids

stay on task.

Non-slip flooring and modular furniture are easy to clean and

break up the space.

NATURAL SURVEILLANCE: open concept allows

teachers to see and be seen.

Cubbies for each child and proper storage

reduce clutter.

CLASSROOM DESIGN

WAYFINDINGBlocks of color serve as landmarks.Easy navigation builds confidence, feelings of security.Markings on floors and walls surround child with visual cues.Potential benefit during emergency situations.

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS

CHILD-SIZED facilities make hand-washing easier and therefore more likely that it will actually happen.

Any opportunity to provide children with a greater degree of control over their environment boosts confidence and development.

POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS

INDOOR AIR QUALITY:

voc’s formaldehyde pesticides asbestos mold

OTHER TOXIC HAZARDS:

lead paint toxic plants respireable play

sand

Natural play areas or “PLAYSCAPES” stay fun and exciting.

OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT

Gardens teach children where food comes from.

Fewer built structures encourage kids to explore on their own.

Knowledge of food sources COMBATS OBESITY.

More time outside leads to more physical activity.

QUESTIONS & DISCUSSIONS