1. TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN Chapter 9 Planning the Physical Environment Indoors

2. Planning Guidelines Basic Considerations Physical space available – 35 square feet per child for NAEYC accreditation – Consider windows, doors, vents, floor coverings Available basic equipment – Tables, chairs, storage – Unit blocks, table toys, computers Program goals

3. Planning: Basic Considerations Clues regarding use – Seating, center charts, pictures/posters Incompatible centers – Active/Noisy: blocks, music, sand/water play – Quiet: art, books/library, computer, writing Spaces for different group sizes – Large and small groups, solitary activities Personal spaces – Needed for both children and adults

4. Planning: Basics Assessing the physical space – Complexity of play units: Simple, complex, and superunit – Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale: 7 categories Spatial density – Amount of space per child in a play setting – Less than 25 square feet per child is too crowded

5. Planning: Selection Selecting equipment and materials – Criteria: High interest, versatility Minimal supervision Continuing appeal Encourage cooperative play Enhance self-concept, durability, safety Options for children with special needs

6. Planning: Selection Commercial Materials – General purpose companies – Specialty companies – Multicultural companies Adult-Made Equipment – Built/made to save money – Commercial imitations, ideas from other professionals, curriculum books

7. Planning: Change Changing the physical environment – Observe and listen to children Critique and make decisions weekly – Provide program consistency Children need both consistency and change Familiar, comfortable – furniture, materials, routines, blocks of time for play Rotate materials – Challenge each child, provide options, match goals – As new materials are added Discuss new toys and equipment at group times Engage in play with children Give children ideas Casually leave materials out to remind children

8. Planning: Health & Safety Health and safety considerations – Planning a healthy environment Avoid materials that pose potential health risks – old (lead) paint, toxic markers, some imported dishware/toys Minimize health-related diseases by cleaning regularly – use hand washing techniques, disposable gloves – Include materials and foods to develop positive personal health habits

9. Planning: Health & Safety Encourage active play and healthy eating – Plan spaces to crawl, pull, climb, tumble, and balance – Establish healthy food choices for lunch/snack Safety concerns – Accident prevention – pay attention to electrical outlets, stoves, fans, climbing equipment – Store hazardous materials out of reach – Teach/demonstrate safe use when possible

10. Planning: Environmentally Friendly Help children learn about and participate in caring for the environment – Read/discuss books about the environment – Grow/study plants – Care for/learn about an indoor pet – Recycle – Used recycled materials whenever possible

11. Centers-Based Early Childhood Programs Art center – Locate near sink, vinyl floor, easel, storage for supplies Manipulative center – Self-correcting and open-ended toys, collectibles, cooperative games Literacy center – Books, listening center, flannelboard stories, magnet letters, paper and pencils

12. Centers-Based Early Childhood Programs Block center – Essential in all early childhood settings – blocks, room to build, low shelves, accessories Housekeeping – Design for home themes – child-sized kitchen, accessories, telephone, pictures of people Dramatic play – To incorporate imaginative play – dress-up clothes, mirror, dolls, and prop boxes

13. Centers-Based Early Childhood Programs Music center – CD player, music-making materials Discovery/science – To develop important understandings – display table with materials and tools (magnifying glasses, balance scales) Other creative centers – For additional play opportunities

14. Centers-Based Programs Woodworking center – Real, child-sized saws/hammers, safety goggles Sand/water play – Funnels, measuring cups, spoons, pitcher Writing – Materials readily available, separate center for older children – Paper, pens, stapler, typewriter Computer – Age 3+, 2-3 chairs for cooperative learning

15. Infant/Toddler Environments Developmental considerations – Routines – Sensorimotor intelligence: need materials to manipulate Spaces and centers – Changing areas, quiet/active, reading, social, art/water play areas, adult rocker for holding and cuddling

16. Preschool Spaces Planning considerations – Centers-based learning – Allow for increasing independence, consistency and change – Include both realistic and ambiguous equipment/toys Center organization – Combine centers when possible

17. Kindergarten and Primary Classrooms Academic issues – Your success depends on your ability to show academic progress – Organize centers to clearly show learning potential – Cluster desks/tables for cooperative learning Areas and centers – Math, science, writing, art, blocks, computers with two chairs