Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.1 Chapter 6: Exploring Your Role in Creating High-Quality Early Childhood Learning Environments

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.2 Early Childhood Environments Think about some early childhood environments you have seen... What makes one setting preferable over another?

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.3 Attributes of High-Quality Early Childhood Environments Organized, challenging, & aesthetically pleasing Create a caring community of learners Reflect clear program goals Protect children’s health & safety Provide access to age-appropriate materials and equipment

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.4 Features of a High-Quality Early Childhood Environment Ideas People Time Space Resources

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.5 Guidelines for High-Quality Environments Arrange space to meet the needs of all learners Use time flexibly Select appropriate learning materials Create a climate that affirms diversity Show students that you care about them and what they are learning Connect with children’s families

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.6 Important Environmental Features Ambiance Privacy Size Density Space Culturally Responsive Anti-Bias

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.7 Preparing and Evaluating the Indoor Environment Room arrangement Schedule & routines Materials & equipment Nutrition & fitness Evaluation:  Physical characteristics  Social characteristics  Unique qualities of the local community

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.8 Preparing and Evaluating the Outdoor Environment Provides a wide range of diverse activities Has plenty of well-organized space Provides access from indoors Allows for adult supervision Has unstructured, movable equipment and materials Has aesthetic surroundings Has defined zones for different activities Evaluation: space, materials, learning experiences

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 6.9 The Inclusive Environment Adapt the environment for children with:  Limited Motor Abilities Access, circle time, art, books, computers and technology, space  Sensory Impairments Vision, hearing, touch, smell  Diverse Academic Needs Space, time, transitions

Jalongo & Isenberg, Exploring Your Role, 3e Copyright © 2008 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved Attributes of an Environment That Affirms Diversity Security Identity Responsibility Dignity Community