For this assignment, I chose to design an educare space for older toddlers ages 24-36 months. As I designed the indoor and outdoor play spaces, I kept in mind best practices for developmentally appropriate, inclusive practice. In order to create an environment to best meet the needs of two-year old’s, I wanted to ensure the space was designed for their exploration allowing them to construct their own knowledge. In the indoor space, I wanted to ensure the classroom was set up to create a safe physical environment designed for a group of 12 or less children with two educators. I chose this group size based on the NAEYC recommended classroom ratio of 6:1 for two-year old’s. I then proceeded to design learning centers big enough for two to four children to play comfortable together without disrupting the play of others. Each learning center is clearly defined using child-size furniture and rugs with openings and pathways large enough to accommodate children using mobility aids. Additionally, I ensured quiet areas such as the library corner was separated from louder areas such as dramatic play, music, and blocks.
I utilized moderate activity areas as buffers these areas included science, writing, art, math, and manipulatives. In keeping with the safety of the environment I intentionally planned for a square area to allow teachers to supervise the entire room from nearly any point. Lastly, regarding safety I ensured there was plenty of storage out of the reach of children by placing teacher cabinets above the teacher prep area as well as a diapering supply area above the diaper changing area. In looking at the environment from a health and sanitation stand point, I made sure the room supported both the children and teachers in having a success in maintaining a healthy environment. First and foremost, I ensured there was a handwashing sink directly next to the main classroom entrance. There is also a sink built in to the diaper changing table and a child bathroom connected directly to the classroom near the diapering area. While there is no formal eating area within the environment, the three central tables could easily be used for meals when not being used during play. It was important to me that each area of the classroom had a purpose during children’s exploration. Our text stresses that handwashing is the best way to keep infections from spreading within the classroom. I also chose to utilize hardwood laminate flooring throughout the classroom to make for easy clean up. I was cautious to utilize rugs throughout the room and a non-slip mat under the sensory table to prevents falls.
By creating a safe and healthy learning environment, with time children will gain a sense of ownership regarding their classroom. By ensuring each center has engaging, educational materials at their level to discover, children will naturally learn through exploring their environment. In order to allow educators to make meaning within the classroom environment I created a balance of windows and wall space. I wanted to ensure windows provided an adequate amount of natural light that could be supplemented with lamps rather than harsh florescent lighting. Additionally, I wanted to ensure there was ample space to display child work at eye-level, parent resources, and multicultural materials. By ensuring the children’s work is displayed, as well as pictures of people and places they can relate to, the environment becomes far more meaningful to the children. Along the same lines, I placed the child cubbies along a side wall to the classroom to ensure families entered the room completely rather than quickly placing items in cubbies directly inside the door and bolting out. When the children have this sense of meaning within the classroom, they will be more compelled to explore. Through their exploration, the children will be exposed to toys and equipment that encourage active, creative, whole-body play as well as manipulative skills.
When I began to create an outdoor design, I wanted to incorporate as many learning opportunities as possible as outdoor play can be an extension to learning in all domains. I wanted to ensure my outdoor space was inclusive of a wide variety of toddlers including those with additional developmental and physical needs. I utilized a variety of surfaces including cement, asphalt, grass, dirt, and wood chips. This will allow children of a variety of abilities to navigate around the play area. I also included many opportunities beyond large motor exploration. The large grass area can be utilized for a variety of activities including running, rolling, picnics, outdoor story time, and more. In planning for the play structure and stepping stones, I chose wood chips as a safe absorbent material in the event of falls. I also added a road to be used for a variety of games as well as for children to ride trikes and use push cars.
Outside of the large motor areas, there are a few more learning areas. There is a sound wall for music exploration, I envisioned it to have pots and pans with wooden spoons as well as other items for exploration. The mud kitchen is designed to have running water and be an outdoor dramatic play area. The raised garden beds in the back of the space are designed to allow children to experience gardening and explore creating their own foods. Lastly, there is an art easel located on the concrete area to allow children to express themselves through art of various forms in the sun light or even on a cloudy day. In terms of safety, I ensured I planned for outdoor storage to keep toys and materials in good-repair, safe from the elements. I also planned a water fountain attached to the building to ensure children have access to clean drinking water to minimize the risk for dehydration during outdoor play. I also accounted for a gate at the back of the playground that could be used for emergency evacuation both from the playground and the classroom.
By creating safe, healthy, intentional learning spaces both indoors and out, I believe children would begin to explore the learning environment and discover new interests. The teachers in each environment would be able to teach intentionally using the layout and materials in their space. The teachers would also be able to supervise children and assist the toddlers in developing independence within the environment designed specifically for them. The room and outdoor space would provide a place where children can take risks and explore freely as they continue to learn and grow with their whole bodies.
