The Where of Early Childhood Education

The Physical Environment

Objectives The physical environment affects both children and

adults Understand the importance of the indoor environment

with focus on how to use it most effectively to support the development of young children

Understand the importance of the outdoor environment and how to maximize its potential

Understand how to adapt the environment meet the requirements of children with special needs

Learn hoe to select developmentally appropriate equipment and materials for use in the ECE program

Effects of the Physical Environment “Arrangement, organization, size, density, noise level,

even the color of the classroom directly and indirectly invite a range of behaviors from teachers and children.”

Effects on children Classroom environment should support the

development of children-what does this mean?

Effects on teachers 4 categories of space

Personal belongings, preparation and planning areas, paperwork storage, communication centers

The Indoor Environment Fixed features

Room size, square footage per child, shape of the room, lighting, building materials, etc.

Movable features Convey purposes of space, limits on behavior,

establish boundaries, encourage quiet or active areas Learning centers

Combining materials and equipment around common interest areas

Safety Infants and Toddlers

How would this space be arranged differently?

Arranging the Outdoor Environment

Fixed outdoor play structures Creative playgrounds Adventure playgrounds

Flexible outdoor play components Adapting the environment

Developmentally Appropriate Equipment

Criteria Does it support the program’s philosophy? Is the equipment appropriately sized? Is it safe? Is it durable? Is there room for it? Can it be constructed rather than purchased? Is it aesthetically pleasing? Is it easy to clean and maintain?

Developmentally Appropriate Materials Criteria

Are the materials developmentally appropriate? Are the materials active? Are the materials open-ended? Do the materials give feedback? Do the materials lend themselves to many

possibilities? Are they safe and durable? Are they attractive? Are they non-0sexist and non-racial? Do you have a wide variety? Do you have duplicates?

Teacher-Made

The best toys are not always store bought Dramatic play kits

Let’s play store Let’s play house Let’s play we’re going on a trip in our car Let’s play we are fishing Let’s play we are kings and queens in our

own castle

Helpful Resources and Web Sites

Quality in child Care Setting Learning centers