🍎 Education Activity:
Providing a Place for Children to Be
Let your mind wander to thoughts of fantastic classrooms for young children:
- You see loving teachers, caregivers, and friends with smiles.
- There is child-sized furniture, developmentally-appropriate toys and materials, well-planned furniture arrangements, and colorful displays on the walls to support play and learning.
- There is room for big muscle and small muscle movement as well as room for eating and for resting.
- We keep this space safe and healthy and clean because it helps children to learn, play, and grow.
When we think of our learning space, it is important to consider things like:
- Physical Condition – Is the floor clean? Is the trash contained? Is there clutter?
- Location – Is the playground nearby? Can we easily get outside in an emergency?
- Suitability – Do we have enough distance between cribs and cots? Is there enough room for all the children on the roster?
- Function – Is the art shelf placed next to the sink for handwashing? Can three children play in the block area comfortably?
- Practical – Can you see all the children at the same time? Are there enough chairs for children to sit together for meals?
We also aim to make our classrooms a place where children want to be, our schools a place where teachers thrive.
Children (and adults, too) feel a sense of place when there is a personal connection, a welcoming culture and community, and meaningful representations of themselves.
Stop for a moment and think about ways that you can create a sense of place.
Write down some of your ideas and share with a teammate when you can.
Creating a Sense of Place | Idea Chart
Have an idea you would like to share! Email the education team.
