Go around the building on a scavenger hunt to find something that might represent:› Something that sparks a childhood memory› Something you don’t understand› Something that might insult your intelligence› Something you’d like to take home with you› Something you’d like to take to a desert island› Something that has many uses
Influences how children act and learn› Prompts children to use materials› Easily accessible, inviting
Children will be happy if the room is a welcoming place› Comfortable, pleasing to the eye, safe
Children will act orderly if the room is orderly› Can be the cause of disruptive behavior
Furniture is clean, safe, and well maintained.
Wall decorations are largely made up of children’s art displayed attractively at their eye level.
Colorful decorations, plants, pillows are used
Personal cubby for each child
Furniture is child sized
•Pictures, books, & learning materials with different ethnic & economic backgrounds & people with disabilities
There is a well defined schedule Materials & toys are available Materials labeled and easy to find
Materials are stored on low shelves so children can use materials on their own
Materials are logically organized
Shelves are labeled with pictures to show where things belong
Small, quiet areas for one or two children
Large pillow or stuffed chair
Headphones for individual listening
Protected and defined small areas for small group activities
Smocks for art and water play to avoid fear of getting soiled
Outdoor area is fenced in Toys are rotated so there frequently is
something new to interest children
Materials must be “Child Size” Picture & Bulletin Boards should be at
child’s eye level Organized & uncluttered Keep learning centers separate from
each other Everything must have a place Create a sense of arrival and welcome
Do not have large spaces for running Fill outer edges, center is the pathway
› A square center is dead space› Irregular or rectangle easier to use
Children in one center cannot reach children in another unit
No need to walk through units to get to another
Clean, neat and cheerful› Neatness
enhances learning
Color can provide a cheerful atmosphere
LIGHT BLUE WHITE LIGHT GREEN YELLOW ORANGE RED PURPLE
Clean, pure, frank, cool, youthful
Peaceful, refreshing, restful
Happy, cheerful
Welcoming, forceful, energetic
Welcoming, energetic, forceful, stimulating
Mournful
Comfortable, soothing, secure, tender
Question: What colors do you think would be best for A day care or preschool?
Teachers must be able to see and supervise all areas of the room
All materials must be safe and in working order
Outside doors need to be visible and locked to the outside and to the children
Storage of hazardous materials must be locked
From Planning Environments for Young Children by Kritchevsky & Prescott
Enough empty space Broad, easily visible paths Children in one unit
cannot reach children in another unit
No need to walk through play units to get to another
No dead space No blind space
Lack of shade Northern exposures Poor drainage Broken equipment Too few things and play space
Provide opportunity to lengthen attention span and expand on play
Make settings for children to meet each other and socialize
More opportunities for choice
Lots of grass and trees
Bright colors
Narrow winding paths
Slides, jungle gyms
Swings
No complexity
More appealing to adults, not necessarily a focus of activity
No flexibility, inventiveness
Traditional, fun, and they last
Seclusion form others, but can watch
Decreases if visible to neighbors Decreases if facility is used for
neighborhood meetings Decreases if PR is good with the public
1. Cubbies for children and sign in desk2. Kitchen with tables for art or snack3. Dramatic play area4. Quiet corner with books5. Circle time area with rug6. Science center7. Small Manipulative area with table8. Block, truck area9. Sensory table
You may add to, change, or delete furniture provided. Cut all pieces apart.