1. Class will start at the top of the hour! Please turn the volume up on your computer speakers to access the audio feature of this seminar. WELCOME TO CE101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education Unit 4 WELCOME TO CE101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education Unit 4

2. Audio Check I am aware that many of you are new to online learning and to using computers, so before we get started… lets conduct a quick audio check. If you can’t hear me, please confirm that the volume on your speakers are on and if you have external speakers confirm that they are plugged in. If you can’t hear me, please try logging out and back in. This often fixes the problem. If this does not work – please call Tech Support at 1-866- 522-7747

3. Opening thought… The teacher is one who made two ideas grow where only one grew before. - Unknown

4. Weekly Reminders… I accept late work. Please be sure to turn in your missing assignments ASAP. If you are on the conditional list, remember that all work must be turned in by the last day of unit 5, Tuesday July 10th@ 11:59 PM. I cannot accept ANY late assignments after this day per Kaplan policy. If you have questions about your grade, please email me

5. Unit 3 Review… Last week we looked into our individual state license regulations and requirements, did you have any “Ah-Ha” moments, where you discovered something about your state that you had not know before? Please feel free to share :0)

6. Unit 4 Overview This unit focuses on learning environments that encourage the students to become actively engaged in activities that are similar to their everyday experiences. These experiences encourage the students to be creative and to use their imagination. When students are involved in the learning process and they are able to express their interests, the outcome is a positive one. You also will learn classroom management strategies that will help develop a positive learning environment.

7. Objectives After completing this unit, you will be able to: Describe a quality early childhood environment Explain the importance of quality environments

8. This Week’s Reading: This week you will read two professional articles related to physical environments. The first web resource, “An Environment that Positively Impacts Young Children” by Rebecca Isbell, outlines strategies for creating an positive environment for your students. The other web resource, “Setting Up the Physical Environment” from Project Head Start, will give you practical steps for setting up both indoor and outdoor areas.

9. On the Discussion Board… After reading this week’s articles, please share what you believe a quality early childhood environment should look like and identify why a quality environment is important to the lives of young children. Be sure to refer to the unit reading material in your initial post; as well add your own personal insight. I look forward to your discussion!

10. Seminar Question #1 When a child enters the classroom they should see an attractive space. Use your 5 senses to describe it. Jump in!

11. Seminar Question #2 Is the space warm and homelike? Share examples… Please share!

12. Question # 3 Are there learning centers? Name a few… Any thoughts?

13. Field trip time Let’s take a field trip to youtube! Please copy this link and open a new browser window. We will take about 5 minutes to watch the video, and meet back here to discuss! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZbJk0Q_ QPA

14. What are your thoughts? Please take this time to share what you thought of the classroom: Was there anything in it, that you had not thought of or seen before? How do you think the children would respond in this type of environment?

15. How Children Understand the Environment: Today's young children are spending a large number of hours in a "new" environment— child care. Some children who begin attending child care in infancy may spend as much as 12,000 hours in this setting. Children want to determine how the space works and what activities can happen in this place The space must be designed to create the "best" place possible for young children.

16. A Caring Teacher is Key! Specific design techniques, when combined with a caring teacher, can help the environment become a wonderful place for nurturing the development of young children. It has been suggested that the emotions of children are strongly influenced by the responsiveness of the caregiver during the first years of life. A caring and responsive caregiver provides a positive climate for young children that will impact not only emotional security but also many aspects of cognitive development.

17. Influence of Environment on Children's Behaviors: The environment in which young children live tells them how to act and respond. Materials must be available and accessible to the children; as well as modeled on how to appropriately use them in the classroom. Few materials and toys in the classroom, will cause the children to “create” their own materials, and cause behavior issues. Children learn to be respectful of their environment if they have opportunities to do so.

18. Set them up for success! Young children respond differently, based on the design of the environment in which they live. An effectively designed classroom has the potential for positively influencing all areas of children's development: physical, social /emotional, and cognitive. Language and learning are nurtured in an environment that values and plans appropriate opportunities

19. Question # 4 List a few additional key ingredients for establishing a successful learning environment? Please share!

20. Weekly Reminders Complete Readings Browse Web Resource Respond to Discussion Questions Interact with Classmates Attend Seminar or complete Seminar option Complete Learning Activities Complete Graded Review E-mail questions, concerns, etc.

21. Thank you! Thank you for joining me! It has been a pleasure share with you again this evening! If you ever need anything… email me! Mrudas@kaplan.edu

22. References Follari, L. (2010). Foundations and best practices in early childhood education: History, theories, and approaches to learning. Boston: Pearson. Isbell, R. (2008). An Environment that Positively Impacts Young Children. Early Childhood News. http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildh ood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=334 Jupiter Images Corporation, (2010). Clipart.com. Retrieved May 10, 2010 from http://www.clipart.com http://www.clipart.com