Creating wonderful environments for young children

[R. Isbell]

Many authors and teachers have identified the need for our early
childhood environments to be warm and inviting (Olds, Curtis, Carter,
Gandini, Greenman, and others). This is an important element to
consider when creating or improving places for young children. Spaces
should look and feel less like an institution and more like a home.
When children enter the center or classroom they should feel welcomed.
Today let's talk about how you can make an environment more inviting.
What have you done in your center or classroom that makes children
feel they are entering a wonderful space that is designed specifically
for them?

[Cindy Mahr]

We have begun work to redesign our entire facility to set a tone of
welcome and home. Our color selection for the walls in each classroom
were redone this year. While the staff were able to help with final
color selection, we emphasized calm, quiet tones related to nature. We
also were able to replace our worn carpeting with tile and area rugs
that are easier to keep clean. Again the colors are earth-tone in most
of the spaces. Safe places for children to choose to be alone have
also been added into each classroom. We have also begun work on
installing a Nature Explore classroom to our outdoor environment. One
question that has arisen concerns how centers balance some of the
safety issues in QRS assessment tools (ERS) and the national
playground safety standards with children's need to explore and take
risks. I would be interested in hearing from others how they have
achieved balance for this in their outdoor environments.

[R. Isbell]

It sounds like you have made some wonderful changes to your environment. Selecting a color that is calm and highlights the children's work is an important change.  Area rugs also help to absorb sound in noisy areas as well as add textural interest to the space. It is so important to have a "quiet" place in classrooms where a child can be alone---and regain their composure. Some children are very senstive to the sounds, visual stimulation and busy activities of the classroom.

You have raised a very difficult question. "How you can design an evironment that is interesting and challenging and still meet safety requirments both indoors and outdoors?" Share with us your ideas and strageties for how you have reached a balance between the children's needs and safety standards. 

[Tarah]

I'm really interested to hear about what others are doing to create
interesting enviornments that are safe yet challenging. I think many
people struggle with finding this balance. I always find it helpful
just to hear what others are doing. It usually helps me think about
different possibilities that I had not thought of yet.

[patricia....@my.nl.edu]

WONDERFUL ENVIRONMENTS 5/18/11

 

I very much like the kindergarden setup of Froebel in the olden days.  Where they used gifts, toys, and materials along with child size furniture and real life experiences as methods for teaching.  I like ther room of the Reggio styles that I saw on the Leadership Study Tour at Chicago Commons.  I like the Montessori setup in the Children's Houses where there are large bright spaces with child size furniture that is like the kindergardens of Froebel.  So, it seems that I like all of the classroom setups that provide large open spaceious rooms, bright and well lite, with all the necessary materials and supplies that will provoke the emergence of childhood learning.  Rooms with art supplies dramatic play areas and materials, lots of books, writing and drawing supplies, blocks, trucks, toys,etc.  The environment in which a child spends their time must offer an enriched area that will engage the interest and elicit the emergence of knowledge.

 

   

[R. Isbell]

Visiting Reggio Emilia ispired me to think about environments in new
ways. Their light filled spaces are soft and inviting and showcase
long term projects and creative work of children. These classrooms
demonstrated what is possible when creating environments for young
children and teachers. When I returned, I helped our lab school move
toward being "Reggio inspired". It has been a long journey but so
many wonderful things have happened in the Center. It is joyful to
visit and see the active participation of the children.

On May 19, 4:42 am, "patricia.colema...@my.nl.edu"

[Kate]

Where I am currently an administrator it is an old school building so
there some very welcoming bulletin boards for the families and
different information for the children and families to view. When I
was a teacher I would change the environment so that when the families
would enter the classroom it would flow so they cubbies would not be
so close to the door so they can walk into the classroom put their
things away and then engage in various activities, which were set out
in the morning. I was a member of the pre-conference tour of Chicago
Commons which are Emilio Reggio inspired centers, these building are
very friendly and welcoming to anyone that entered the doors. The
walls were covered with the process of the childrens work, as well as
staff memos welcoming the families to the center, in various languages
and everything was warm and had a very comfortable feeling. I would
like to help the center that I just recently got employed at become
more natural and warm because we currently have the primary colors
running down the hallway walls. I think that showcasing the children's
work and showing the process of how we got to the final product is so
educational for visitors and families. I also enjoyed seeing the
centers have a parent area where the parents can utilize a computer
and have a comforting area that is for them because they have such a
strong alliance with the parents. Currently the teachers rooms/
conference room has nothing on the walls and has only a large table,
chairs, and a computer I feel that the teachers should also have a
warm welcoming environment add staff notices, pictures, plants, and
various things to make it look nice and not like a vacant office.

[patricia....@my.nl.edu]

Yes, it was so amazing to see how the children interacted with their environment, and to us (visitors).  They seemed open and inviting.  One of the little boy's beckoned for us to come in.  on another occasion another little boy wondered into our meeting room and the teacher let him explore the experience.  He came to the door and turned to leave.  That was something that I was not used to.  Most teachers would have lead the child away.  The tour was inspiring to me as well.

[patricia....@my.nl.edu]

Hi:  I find it interesting and important to ask the children for some ideas.  I like creating lessons built from the requests of the children.  My children asked for a picnic, we were one day reading a book that mentioned a picnic.  My question who had been on a picnic lately.  A couple said they had never.  So, I immediately asked if they wanted a picnic here in class.  I made a fantastic picnic for them.   I love following the lead of the children.  

[Sara]

I have had the opportunity to visit Frank Lloyd Wright's studio and
house in Chicago, and as a young teacher, was also inspired to see how
Wright was interested in Froebel. Those who know of Wright's work can
see how it shaped how he incorporated geometry and principles of
Froebel into his work also! On another note, I just went to the
Reggio exhibit in Newark, Ohio and was blown away by the fantastic
work that was showcased on the boards in the exhibit. I wish more
children had the opportunities to explore materials, light, music,
etc.!

On May 19, 4:42 am, "patricia.colema...@my.nl.edu"
<patricia.colema...@my.nl.edu> wrote:

[R. Isbell]

Following the children's interest and expanding their ideas into
projects that may last for a long time are wonderful strategies to
engage children. Your visit to Chicago Commons, where they are
"Reggio Inspired", gave you insight into the environmental elements of
this approach. Teachers in Reggio identify the environment as the
"third teacher" which demonstrates their value of this aspect of the
center and classroom. Adding beautiful things, softness, and
children's work are effective ways to create warm and inviting space
for children and teachers. I also like the varitations of lighting
for example, softer lighting in the quiet area, and the addition of
live plants which also softens the space.

On May 19, 1:15 pm, "patricia.colema...@my.nl.edu"

[R. Isbell]

The Reggio exhibit is very inspiring. Seeing the indepth work of the
children and their sustained interest was amazing. The work looked so
advanced for preschool children---until you understand that the
children may have been working on this for weeks or even months.
As we build on children's ideas, provide a variety of materials, pose
provocative questions, and document their learning we move toward
having a more interesting and challenging environment.

> > that will engage the interest and elicit the emergence of knowledge.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Leticia]

Hi Sara,

I read that you just went to the Reggio exhibit in Newark. I can imagine how much you got                                                                  to see and learn… I also went to the 2010 Reggio exhibit in Chicago, there was so much                                                                         to absorb and take in… I’m very glad that I went because it gave me a chance to                                                                               understand Reggio Emilia’s approach for teaching… I feel this is the teaching method that                                                                         I would like to use for a child care program… and I agree, I wish that children did have the                                                                 opportunities to explore and discover more with material, light and music. I like how                                                                          Reggio’s approach puts emphasis on the natural development of children as well as the                                                                           close relationships of family members as part of the program.

[Leticia]

Hi Sara,

I apologize, for the way the message went through...  I will try again.

 

I read that you just went to the Reggio exhibit in Newark, I can imagine how much you got to see and learn… I also went to the 2010 Reggio exhibit in Chicago, there was so much to absorb and take in… I’m very glad that I went because it gave me a chance to understand Reggio Emilia’s approach for teaching… I feel this is the teaching method that I would like to use for a child care program… and I agree, I wish that children did have the opportunities to explore and discover more with material, light and music. I like how Reggio’s approach puts emphasis on the natural development of children as well as the close relationships of family members as part of the program.

[Leticia]

Hi Ms. R. Isbell,

I am also inspired by the Reggio Emilia’s interior design as well. The natural lights, the plants, children’s art work display on documentation panels throughout, it all comes together so well. I love the textures and materials that are used in the class rooms.  I am fascinated by the natural colors and spacious rooms... the calmness of the atmosphere that is portrayed within the center… I found the atmosphere to be balanced and sound … Another feature that I liked about the Reggio Emilia child care centers was the exterior environment. I appreciate the gardens and landscaping... nature seems to be my favorite part of the Reggio Emilia’s concept of the method. I definitely feel Reggio Emilia’s approach is the method I would like to use for a child care program.    

[R. Isbell]

Hi Leticia,
Another important feature of the Reggio programs is their view of "
young children being competent". This belief influences so many
things in their environment. They focus on what children can do---
rather than what they can not do. I have always felt I had a postive
view of children----until I visited Reggio. After the visits I
realized that I have some work to do in this area. Does our
environment demonstrate the belief that young children are capable???
Are a range of materials accessible? Are children give choices? Are
children's ideas listened to and valued? Do we just say these things
or do we create an environment that demonstrates this belief?

[Daf]

Creating wonderful environments for young children is not a
simple task; it takes lots of planning and careful considerations.
Besides environments consists of many dimensions. I remember using the
reward and incentive systems to create an atmosphere of thinkers by
rewarding the children with a gift, or sticker, if they got all the
spelling words correct on their spelling test. You would be surprised
how the children had their parents involved, because they wanted those
gifts and stickers. I also remember taking the kids on a nature walk,
and the children gathering things, to take back to the center to
discuss and leave as part of their belonging to the center. We had
leaves, rocks, and sticks, all displayed on the bulletin board. Their
work was often displayed on the bulletin boards as well.

[Leticia]

Hi Ms. R. Isbell,

Thank You so much! I am fascinated by Reggio’s positive teaching method of learning. I think our environment should demonstrate that children are capable… I think children need to be trusted that they are capable… Children are usually not given an opportunity to select from a range of materials or have choices. Their ideas are not listened, or much valued. I do think an environment for children’s competent learning needs to be created and demonstrated. I think it would encourage children to be creative problem-solvers within their environments.

[R. Isbell]

You have identified so many important aspects of designing an
environment that nurtures creativity. If children's interest are
supported and they are given choices----you will be amazed at their
ideas. They are so capable!

This is the last day I will be leading our conversation. It has been
a wonderful experiences for me---I hope for you too. If you would like
to talk to me further about environments please contact me at
isb...@etsu.edu.
Rebecca