The Learning Environment The first step towards implementing a curriculum is to:

Organize the classroom into interest areas Blocks Dramatic play Manipulatives (toys and games) Art Library Discovery/Science: Sand and water Music and movement

Organize the classroom into interest areas (cont.) Cooking Computers Outdoors

Establish daily routines/schedule (children know what to expect, and they understand what is expected of them): Arrival Group time Breakfast Choice time Outdoor play Music

Establish daily routines/schedule (cont.) Lunch Nap time Snack Departure

Create a classroom community Build relationship with each child: get to know each child; talk to children respectfully; be sensitive to children’s feelings, acknowledge children’s accomplishments and progress Help children to make friends: help them to cooperate, share, take turns, show empathy, and help others. Pair children to work on tasks, help them to negotiate and solve conflict

Importance of Play Developmentally Appropriate Practice: teaching children in ways that match the way children develop and learn; provide children challenging, but not overwhelming activities, so they can learn and practice newly acquired skills.

Developmental Stages of Play 1. Unoccupied behavior – during infancy, a child occupies himself by watching anything of momentary interest

Stages of Play (cont.) 2. Onlooker play – young toddlers focus on the activity rather than the environment

Stages of Play (cont.) 3. Solitary play (toddlers) – the child plays alone without the regard to what other children are doing

Stages of Play (cont.) 4. Parallel play (ages 2-3) – a child sitting next to another child, playing with the same toys, but in a different way. It is the early stage of peer interaction, but the focus is on the object rather than another child

Stages of Play (cont.) 5. Associative play (ages 3-4)- a child goes in and out of the play with other children, uses same toys and participates in the same activity, but in his own way

Stages of Play (cont.) 6. Cooperative play (ages 4 and up) – group play that involves organized ideas, assigned roles, taking turns, making friends, organizing games and activities

Fostering Play Create a positive and safe place for play Provide open-ended play materials Respect and encourage individual differences in play abilities Have patience with children and give them time to learn new play skills Introduce activities and materials appropriate for each child’s age and stage of development Make available culturally diverse materials for all children to enjoy and learn from as they play

Encourage cooperation Allow children extra time to finish activities Take time to listen to children as they play and to observe how each child plays, what he plays with, who he plays with, and what the child can do

Communication with Families Team work is crucial for the children success Respect families because they are primary educators of their children There is a learning process that the teachers and families always face. The teacher is learning from the children and their families When assessing child’s needs and progress, consider the child's culture A teacher is prepared to meet the special needs of individual children, including those with disabilities

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQKD5evdcrg (Reggio Environment)