Using your notes from the presentations and your reference guides, select three questions for this activity.

Write the question on one side of your index card and the correct answer on the opposite side of the card.

Wait for instruction

Quiz Quiz Trade

Preparing the Environment

Think about what a developmentally appropriate, well-organized environment tells you about a program.

What may result when a classroom is not designed to meet children’s developmental needs?

Reflect

Safety is an important concern when planning a preschool space.

When children feel safe, they feel free to learn.

Value of Planned Space

Physically safe environment

Promote physical, intellectual, emotional, social development

Easy access to materials

Adults with space that is easy to supervise

Space that is pleasing to the eye

Space with high activity and low stress

The goals for a well-planned space

The physical space of a center may be divided into seven main areas.

◦1) Entrance: children’s artwork displayed, bulletin board.

Physical Space

◦ 2) Directors Office: hold children’s records, school records, and public relation material.

◦3) Isolation Area: for children who become ill, should have a cot and few toys

◦4) Kitchen: sink, refrigerator, and stove for snacks

◦5) Staff Room: storage space for staff personal belongings, tables and chairs.

◦6) Bathrooms: toilet, sink, water temperature set on low heat

◦7) Indoor Environment: ground floor near an exit.

Walls should be painted with lead-free paint Windows at children’s eye level Doors should be lightweight and doorknobs

at child’s reach Temperature should be comfortable 68-70

degrees Electrical Outlets should be covered when

not in use.

Physical Space

Classroom or playroom furniture should be durable, washable, and stackable.

Chairs should be proper height Toys kept in storage units Storage units should be at children’s height Children can learn responsibility when they

are provided with personal storage space

Furniture

Cool Colors (blue,green,and purple): create a spacious feel

Warm Colors(red, yellow, and orange): make the room feel smaller

Light blue is often used in childcare centers: soothing, calming and secure

Yellow is happy and cheerful Orange is welcoming and forceful Purple can have a mournful effect.

Color Choices

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xCCBIvgWQ0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm7hIwLXuTU

A Look inside the Classroom

A program’s goals should be based on the children’s abilities, age and skills

Caregivers concerned with all developmental areas might select the following program goals◦ To promote positive self concept◦ To promote independence◦ To promote problem solving skills◦ To promote gross-motor coordination◦ To promote self-control◦ To promote language skills◦ To promote pro-social behavior◦ To promote an appreciation of cultural diversity

Program Goals

With a partner, brainstorm how Early Childhood Centers support their goals.

After, select 5 goals that you feel are the most important for an Early Childhood program and explain why you chose these. ◦ Discuss how defining program goals is the first step

towards a well-organized space ◦ Identify and explain which color you would choose for

your program

How Goals are Supported by the Environment

3 of the seven areas the physical space of a center is divided into (Example: The directors office)

2 of the guidelines for valuing the physical space of an early childhood center

1 way a students needs may not be met based on the physical environment

Warm Up: 3..2..1

Bird Theme

Polka Dot Theme

Monkey/Jungle Theme

Beach Themed Computer Lab

Take out your worksheet from yesterday!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=K4sdsDh_zDc

1st Grade Classroom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aLompqANdM

3rd Grade Classroom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeTvqf0te5U

The Learning Experience

Working with your table, you will identify the ways in which the environment of an early childhood classroom supports the Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social development of children.

Try your best to write down as many as you can come up with

How Goals are Supported by the Environment