1. Preparing the Environment
Chapter 8
Preparing the Environment

2. Preparing the Environment
In this chapter, you will learn about
value of planned space
physical space
furniture
color choices for child care centers
factors that affect space organization
organizing basic activity areas
outdoor play area

3. Objectives Explain the value of planned indoor and outdoor space.
Name the basic activity areas in a center, along with the functions of each area.
List criteria to consider when choosing playroom furniture and color schemes.

4. Objectives
Summarize factors that affect the organization of space in a center.
Organize basic activity areas of the classroom and outdoor play yard.

5. Terms to Know isolation area staff room audiovisual board
acoustic material
cubbies
cool colors
warm colors
traffic pattern
sensory table
stationary equipment

6. Value of Planned Space
The goals for well-planned space include providing
a physically safe environment
areas that promote cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth
space that is easy to supervise
space that is pleasing to the eyes
easy access to materials
space for working and playing

7. Physical Space
The physical space of the center may be divided into seven main areas:
entrance
director’s office
isolation area
kitchen or kitchenette
staff room
bathrooms
classroom or playroom

8. Classroom or Playground
The classroom or playground should
be on the ground floor close to an exit
have a rectangular shape, allowing optimal supervision
have enough space for children and for a variety of materials and equipment

9. Furniture
Classroom or playground furniture should be durable, washable, and stackable.
Chairs
Tables
Storage units
Lockers and cubbies
Cubbies: top section of lockers

10. Discuss
What are some features that the following children’s furniture should have?

11. Color Choices for Child Care Centers
The use of colors can affect how teachers and children feel about their classroom.
Cool colors: make a room appear larger
Blue
Green
Purple
Warm colors: make a room seem smaller
Red
Yellow
Orange

12. Factors That Affect Space Organization
When planning classroom space, many factors should be considered. These will affect how the classroom is organized.
Licensing requirements
Program goals
Group size
Scale
Traffic patterns

13. Licensing Requirements
All states have their own licensing requirements for child care centers.
Common requirements:
a minimum number of fire extinguishers
all exits must be clear
entrance door must open to the outside
a minimum number of square feet of space

14. Program Goals
Caregivers concerned with all development areas might select the program goals that promote
positive self-concept
independence
problem-solving skills
fine-motor coordination
gross-motor coordination
self-control
language skills
prosocial behavior
appreciation of cultural diversity

15. Group Size
Group size is an important factor to consider when arranging space.
The more children there are, the more empty space is needed.
Plan between one-third and one-half of the classroom for open space.

16. Reflect
What do you think would be the effect on children’s behavior of too much open space in a classroom area?

17. Scale
The classroom environment must be scaled to the size of its occupants.
Bulletin boards
Toilets
Water fountains
Sinks
Pictures

18. Traffic Patterns
Traffic pattern: the way people move through the classroom area
Arrange furniture to create useful traffic patterns.

19. Brainstorm
Provide examples of impractical traffic patterns in the classroom area.

20. Organizing Basic Activity Areas
Classrooms organized according to activity areas provide the ideal environment for active learning.

21. Introducing Activity Areas
Children require an introduction to the activity areas in the classroom.
Materials
Activities
Safety and cleanup rules

22. Reflect
Why do you think it is important to provide an introduction to the activity areas in the classroom?

23. Blockbuilding Area
The best location for blockbuilding should be on a carpeted area.
Blocks give children the opportunity to
sort
arrange
make decisions
cooperate

24. Art Area Place the art area near a water source.
Arrange the space so either groups or individuals can use the area.
Use tables, chairs, easels, drying racks, and shelving units that are easy to clean and maintain.
Label the shelves with the materials found there.

25. Dramatic Play Area
The dramatic play area is also known as the home living or housekeeping area.
For younger children, this area should be arranged to look like a real home.
Stove
Refrigerator
Table
Chairs
Sink

26. Sensory Area
The key piece of equipment in the sensory area is the sensory table.
Sensory table: a water or sand table
Place sensory table near the water source.
Items used in the sensory table:
shovels
spoons
sand pails
measuring cups

27. Woodworking Area
Locate the woodworking area near the art area to facilitate the decoration of wood sculptures.
Place this area outside the line of traffic.
Items used in the woodworking area:
wood scraps
styrofoam pieces

28. Sleeping Area Most preschool children rest or nap after lunch.
Not all programs have separate sleeping areas.
It is necessary to allow sufficient space for sleeping.
Some states require that two feet of open space exist between cots.

29. Small Manipulative Area
The small manipulative area should be located in a dry, quiet area of the playroom.
Items you may wish to have in this area:
table blocks
puzzles
plastic building pieces
parquetry blocks
stringing beads
sewing cards

30. Library Area Should be located in the quietest part of the classroom
In addition to providing books and magazines, you may want to promote language arts
Paper
Pen
Pencils
Felt-tip markers

31. Music Area Space should be provided for moving and dancing.
Items found in almost all music areas include
tapes
records
puppets
scarves

32. Private Space
Provide a private area in the classroom where children can be alone.
The private space should
be small
allow room for only one or two children

33. Science Area Should be placed Most science areas contain
in the wet, active area of the classroom
near the light and water source
Most science areas contain
tables
shelving units
small caged pets
project materials

34. Technology Area Should be in the quiet, dry part of the classroom
Where you place the computer might affect how often children use it
Keep the monitor visible throughout the classroom to
increase curiosity
facilitate supervision

35. Eating Area
When spaces are available, it is recommended to provide a separate eating area.
It should be located near the kitchen to facilitate
service
cleanup

36. Displaying Children’s Work
The work of children should be displayed throughout the activity areas using
bulletin boards
wall hangings
clothesline
appliance boxes

37. Discuss
What activity areas would promote the following goals?

38. Outdoor Play Area
Like indoor areas, the play yard needs to be studied in terms of use and then broken into areas.
Considerations:
Equipment should be far apart
All equipment should be visible
Children should not have to walk through one area to get to another
Between one-third and one-half of the yard should be used for play equipment

39. Planning the Play Yard Planning the play yard involves
fencing
surfaces
landscaping
storage shed
wheeled toy paths
sandbox
water
animal shelter
Stationary equipment: equipment that is set permanently in the ground for stability

40. Summary Properly organized space is the key to proper learning:
Provides children the option of working alone or cooperatively
Frees the children to play without interruptions
Provides children with choices

41. Summary
Space should reflect children’s developmental needs and interests as well as program goals.
In such a space,
children are more relaxed and positive
children feel good about themselves
teachers can spend more time nurturing and less time redirecting children’s behavior