Learning Environment

Learning Environments  Include both indoor and outdoor areas  Provide opportunities for developmentally appropriate activities  Require structure and thoughtful planning

Learning Environments  Stimulate development of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social learning.  Indoor and outdoor environments help connect children to the world.

Room Arrangement: Store Activity

Learning Environments Children need to feel safe in order to:  trust and cooperate with others  become independent learners  stay involved in work  acquire new skills and concepts

Video: Room Arrangement as a Teaching Strategy

Building trust and cooperation  Environment is safe and well organized  Environment is not busy or chaotic

Encouraging independence  Children are allowed to explore  Children clean up by themselves

Children are involved  Reduce distractions  Create ownership

Learning concepts and skills  Organize materials to encourage concept building  Process teaches classifying, matching, and questioning

Create functional environments  Both children and providers need purpose  Environment layout options require focus  Environment arrangements need to be flexible to fit needs

Outdoor Learning Environments  Outdoor learning environments are just as meaningful as indoor lesson planning  Outdoor environments expand cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development

Activity Discussion about outdoor learning environment

Outdoor Space Considerations  Size/space to engage  Easy access for all  Nature / science center  Digging area  Hard and soft surfaces  Sun and shade areas  Protection from elements  Access to water, bathrooms, and storage  Places to be alone  Space for variety of activities

Safety Considerations Outdoor area has  Unobstructed view  Adequate “fall zones”  All – around fencing Equipment is:  Age-appropriate  In good repair  Well-spaced  Cushioned in right spaces

Outdoor Play Equipment  Climbing  Swinging  Balancing  Pedaling/riding  Building and pretend play

Equipment Considerations  Is there an adequate number of equipment?  Does the equipment stimulate a variety of skills?

Equipment Considerations  Does the equipment stimulate skills at different levels?  Is there stationary and portable equipment available?  Are there accommodations made for children with disabilities?

Fun in the Outdoors (Marshall & Dickson, 2012)  Develop problem-solving skills  Embrace dirt and mud  Make music and start moving  Dress-up is fun indoors and outdoors

Fun in the Outdoors (Marshall & Dickson, 2012)  Provide hideaways and quiet zones  Develop outdoor space for art  Water exploring leads to math and science concepts  Maximize pathways and entrances

Activity Evaluate Learning Environments

Activity: Design Learning Environments

Well-designed Learning Environments result in:  Children behaving appropriately  Children participating independently  Children staying involved  Children learning concepts

Well-designed Learning Environments result in:  Learning-focused classrooms  Concept-building environments  Less distractive behaviors

Questions?