1. ROOM ARRANGEMENT Preschool Layout

2. ACTIVITY: The importance of environment Go around the building on a scavenger hunt to find something that might represent: –Something that sparks a childhood memory –Something you don’t understand –Something that might insult your intelligence –Something you’d like to take home with you –Something you’d like to take to a desert island –Something that has many uses

3. Effects of Room Arrangement Influences how children act and learn –Prompts children to use materials –Easily accessible, inviting Children will be happy if the room is a welcoming place –Comfortable, pleasing to the eye, safe Children will act orderly if the room is orderly –Can be the cause of disruptive behavior

4. What is wrong with this picture?

5. This is a Good Place to Be Furniture is clean, safe, and well maintained. Wall decorations are largely made up of children’s art displayed attractively at their eye level. Colorful decorations, plants, pillows are used

6. You Belong Here Personal cubby for each child Furniture is child sized Pictures, books, & learning materials with different ethnic & economic backgrounds & people with disabilities

7. This Is a Place You Can Trust There is a well defined schedule Materials & toys are available Materials labeled and easy to find

8. You Can Do Many Things On Your Own Materials are stored on low shelves so children can use materials on their own Materials are logically organized Shelves are labeled with pictures to show where things belong

9. You Can Get Away and Be By Yourself When You Need To Small, quiet areas for one or two children Large pillow or stuffed chair Headphones for individual listening

10. How could you create a safe place to explore and try out new ideas? Protected and defined small areas for small group activities Smocks for art and water play to avoid fear of getting soiled Outdoor area is fenced in Toys are rotated so there frequently is something new to interest children

11. GUIDELINE Materials must be “Child Size” Picture & Bulletin Boards should be at child’s eye level Organized & uncluttered Keep learning centers separate from each other Everything must have a place Create a sense of arrival and welcome

12. TRAFFIC FLOW Do not have large spaces for running Fill outer edges, center is the pathway –A square center is dead space –Irregular or rectangle easier to use Children in one center cannot reach children in another unit No need to walk through units to get to another

13. APPEARANCE Clean, neat and cheerful –Neatness enhances learning Color can provide a cheerful atmosphere

14. EFFECT OF COLOR LIGHT BLUE WHITE LIGHT GREEN YELLOW ORANGE RED PURPLE Clean, pure, frank, cool, youthful Peaceful, refreshing, restful Happy, cheerful Welcoming, forceful, energetic Welcoming, energetic, forceful, stimulating Mournful Comfortable, soothing, secure, tender Question: What colors do you think would be best for A day care or preschool?

15. SAFETY What about teacher visibility? What about materials and toys? What about the outside doors? What about storage of hazardous materials?

17. What is right with this picture? From Planning Environments for Young Children by Kritchevsky & Prescott

18. Planning Outdoor Environments Enough empty space Broad, easily visible paths Children in one unit cannot reach children in another unit No need to walk through play units to get to another No dead space No blind space

19. Outdoor Play Area Problems Lack of shade Northern exposures Poor drainage Broken equipment Too few things and play space

20. Need for Complexity Provide opportunity to lengthen attention span and expand on play Make settings for children to meet each other and socialize More opportunities for choice

21. Good or Bad? Lots of grass and trees Bright colors Narrow winding paths Slides, jungle gyms Swings No complexity More appealing to adults, not necessarily a focus of activity No flexibility, inventiveness Traditional, fun, and they last Seclusion form others, but can watch

22. Vandalism Decreases if visible to neighbors Decreases if facility is used for neighborhood meetings Decreases if PR is good with the public

23. Activity: PRESCHOOL LAYOUT PAPER Arrange the preschool to include: 1.Cubbies for children and sign in desk 2.Kitchen with tables for art or snack 3.Dramatic play area 4.Quiet corner with books 5.Circle time area with rug 6.Science center 7.Small Manipulative area with table 8.Block, truck area 9.Sensory table You may add to, change, or delete furniture provided. Cut all pieces apart.