2. Preparing the Environment 9

3. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Key Concepts  Space at a child care classroom is divided into basic activity areas.  Developmentally appropriate programs include outdoor play environments as well as indoor environments.

4. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. 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. continued

5. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Objectives  Summarize factors that affect the organization of space in a center.  Organize basic activity areas of the classroom and outdoor playground.

6. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Value of Planned Space  Well-planned space provides  a physically safe environment  areas that promote developmental growth  an abundance of materials  areas that are easy to supervise  pleasant space for both adults and children  children easy access to materials  comfortable work and play areas

7. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Physical Space  May be divided into seven main areas  Entrance  Director’s office  Isolation area Isolation area  Kitchen or kitchenette  Staff room Staff room  Bathrooms  Classroom or playroom

8. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Indoor Environment  The classroom or playroom should  be on the ground floor close to an exit  have a rectangular shape, allowing optimal supervision; at least 35 sf. per child  have walls with lead-free washable paint  include some type of audiovisual boardaudiovisual board  have carpeted flooring  have lightweight doors with low handles continued

9. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Indoor Environment  include acoutstic material to absorb soundacoutstic material  have temperature range of 68 – 70 degrees F  have 40 – 60 percent humidity  place electrical outlets above children’s reach

10. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Furniture  Classroom or playground furniture should be durable, washable, and stackable  Chairs  Tables  Storage units  Lockers and cubbiescubbies

11. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Discuss  What are some features that the following children’s furniture should have? FurnitureFeatures Chairs Tables Storage units Lockers and cubbies

12. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Color Choices for Child Care Centers  The use of colors can affect how teachers and children feel about their classroom  Room should look good, feel spacious  Cool colors: blue, green, and purple Cool colors  make a room appear larger  Warm colors: red, yellow, and orange Warm colors  make a room seem smaller

13. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Factors That Affect Space Organization  Space should define the scope and limits of activities  Licensing requirements  Program goals  Group size  Scale  Traffic patterns

14. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Licensing Requirements  All states have their own licensing requirements for child care centers  Common requirements include  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

15. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Program Goals  Based on children’s abilities, age, and skills  Stimulate growth and development  Positive self-concept  Independence  Problem-solving skills  Fine-motor coordination  Promote self-control continued

16. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Program Goals  Language skills  Prosocial behavior  Appreciation of cultural diversity

17. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. 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

18. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Reflect  What do you think would be the effect on children’s behavior of too much open space in a classroom area?

19. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Scale  The classroom environment must be scaled to the size of its occupants  Child-sized furniture  Bulletin boards  Toilets  Water fountains  Sinks  Pictures

20. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Traffic Patterns  Arrangement of classroom center around the traffic patterntraffic pattern  The way people move through the classroom area  Arrange furniture to create useful traffic patterns  Program activities affect traffic patterns

21. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Brainstorm  Provide examples of practical traffic patterns in the classroom area.

22. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Organizing Basic Activity Areas continued Blockbuilding area Art area Dramatic play area Sensory area Woodworking area Sleeping area Small manipulative area Language area Music area Private space Science area Technology area Eating area

23. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Organizing Basic Activity Areas  Provide the ideal environment for active learning  Each activity area is clearly defined, yet flexible  Arrange activity areas by function  Wet or dry  Active or quiet continued

24. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Organizing Basic Activity Areas Gross-motor Music Woodworking Blockbuilding Dramatic play Small manipulative play Library Sleeping Private space Writing center Technology area Science Sensory {sand, water} Art Eating

25. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Introducing Activity Areas  Children require an introduction to the activity areas in the classroom  What materials are in each area  Which activities happen in each area  Safety and cleanup rules  Learn the routine for using and replacing materials

26. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Reflect  Why do you think it is important to provide an introduction to the activity areas in the classroom?

27. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Blockbuilding Area  Blocks give children practice  sorting  grouping  comparing  arranging  make decisions  cooperating  role-playing

28. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Art Area  Place the art area near a water source  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 materials shelves clearly

29. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Dramatic Play Area  Known as the home living or housekeeping area  For younger children, should be arranged to look like a real home  Stove, refrigerator, sink  Table and chairs  Other props, such as dolls, dress-up costumes, kitchen utensils, and cleaning tools

30. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Sensory Area  The sensory table (water or sand table) is a key piece of equipmentsensory table  Place sensory table near the water source  Items to provide should be rustproof  Shovels and spoons  Sand pails  Measuring cups  Funnels and strainers

31. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Woodworking Area  Locate near the art area to decorate wood sculptures with paint  This area should be outside the line of traffic  Items to provide may include  safety goggles  simple tools  wood scraps  styrofoam pieces

32. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Sleeping Area  Most preschoolers rest or nap after lunch  Most states have licensing rules for children under age 5  Not all programs have separate sleeping areas  Flexible room arrangement is key  Allow sufficient space for sleeping  Check state regulations (2 ft. between cots)

33. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Small Manipulative Area  Locate in a dry, quiet area of the playroom  Items in this area often include  table blocks  puzzles  plastic building pieces  parquetry blocks  stringing beads  sewing cards

34. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Language Area  Locate in the quietest part of the classroom  Items in this area should include  books and magazines  paper and markers  table and chairs  shelving

35. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Music Area  Provide space for moving and dancing  Items found in most music areas include  rhythm instruments  CDs and players  puppets and scarves  piano, if space permits  guitar or autoharp

36. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Private Space  Provide a space where children can be alone  Lofts are good options  The space should  be small  allow room for only one or two children  be visible to the teacher

37. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Science Area  Arrange the science area  in the wet, active area of the classroom  near the light and water source  Most science areas contain  at least one table  a shelving unit  small caged pets  project materials

38. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Technology Area  Locate in the quiet, dry part of the classroom  Where you place the computers might affect how often they are used  Keep monitors visible throughout the classroom to  increase curiosity  facilitate supervision

39. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Eating Area  When space is available, provide a separate eating area  Locate it near the kitchen for  easy service  easy cleanup

40. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Displaying Children’s Work  Display children’s work throughout the activity areas using  bulletin boards  wall hangings  clothesline  appliance boxes

41. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Discuss  What activity areas would promote the following goals? GoalsActivity Area Self-control Independence Language skills Problem solving Social skills

42. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Outdoor Play Environments  In outdoor areas,  the required number of sf. per child varies by state; usually from 75 to 200 sf. per child  a rectangular space is most functional  U- or L-shaped playgrounds are more difficult to supervise

43. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Planning the Playground  Consider the following guidelines:  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 playground should be used for play equipment continued

44. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Planning the Playground  Planning the playground involves  fencing  surfaces  landscaping  storage shed  wheeled toy paths continued

45. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Planning the Playground  stationary equipment: equipment that is set permanently in the ground for stability stationary equipment  sandbox  water  animal shelter

46. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Review  Developmentally appropriate child care programs include both _____ and _____ environments.  What five factors affect classroom space organization?  Name six of the twelve activity areas that should be planned separately.

47. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Glossary  acoustic material. Material used to deaden or absorb sounds. Carpets, drapes, bulletin boards, pillows, stuffed toys, and sand are examples.  audiovisual board. A smooth wall board that serves as a bulletin board, chalkboard, and movie screen.

48. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Glossary  cool colors. Colors, such as blue and green, that make a room appear larger and create a feeling of openness.  cubbies. Top sections of lockers used to store finished artwork, library books, parent letters, and other valuable items.

49. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Glossary  isolation area. Special room or space in the center for children who become ill or show signs of a communicable disease.  sensory table. Table in the sensory area that gives children the opportunity to experience the sensations related to water and sand. It also allows them practice in social situations. Also known as a water table or sand table.

50. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Glossary  staff room. Room in a child care center provided for staff to spend work-related time away from the classroom.  stationary equipment. Permanently installed equipment in the playground, such as jungle gyms, slides, and tree houses.

51. © Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Glossary  traffic pattern. The way in which people move through the classroom area, affecting its arrangement.  warm colors. Colors including red, yellow, and orange that make a room appear smaller.