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30.9.2: Environment Design

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    Environment Design

    Creating distinct and predictable areas for specific activities is critical to setting clear expectations and minimizing chaos in an infant or toddler classroom. For example, a library or book area is typically designed for quiet and calm activities like reading, distinct from spaces meant for active play. To communicate this effectively, the area should be arranged to emphasize its purpose by making the space smaller and more intimate, suitable for fewer children, and adding soft furnishings like pillows. This creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Limiting the number of books to a manageable selection helps maintain order and focus, as too many books might lead to disorganization and overstimulation [1].

    Strategic Placement of Areas

    The placement of different activity areas relative to one another is also crucial. For instance, situating the reading area next to a block area, which typically involves louder noises and dynamic movement, could disrupt the quiet atmosphere of the reading corner. Therefore, it is important to separate these areas distinctly. Such physical separation establishes visual cues, reinforcing the intended use of each space and helping them understand the behavioral expectations in those areas. Thoughtful design, with clear boundaries and appropriate furnishings, helps establish predictable areas that support toddlers' developmental needs and behaviors [1].

     


    Attributions:

    • [1] Hunter, A., & Blackwell, K. T. (2011, November). Social emotional development within the context of relationships Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning. (2011, November). Strategies for supporting the development of friendship skills in ... [PDF document]. Retrieved from https://csefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/inftodd/mod2/2.15.pdf

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