Where Do The Children Play?

In the ECE world we often hear the phrase, "Environment is a second teacher." In other words, a classroom environment that is carefully managed helps the teacher by allowing the children to have deep and meaningful play without many conflicts. A classroom like this is obvious when you enter it. it feels like a place that you would like to explore, not flee. It is stimulating enough that it peaks your interest with clearly defined areas, a balance of appropriate materials, space, and light. children need and deserve a warm and beautiful place to spend their day. A cramped classroom may have wonderful materials but invites conflict as children fight for space. A classroom with a lot of space but too few materials invite conflict as children fight over materials. A great way to make decisions about classroom management is to base them on observations of the children as they play in the space. Where are they drawn? Which areas do they avoid? and then we have to ask ourselves that question that seems to put even the most seasoned teacher into defensive mode, "why?" each year I reassess my classroom with my team. after 12 years, It feels really good. some of the problems had to do with the arrangement of the room. Big cubbies blocked the view and flow of the children towards the back of the room where our sink, art, book, and science areas were located. also, a big easle coupled with a large table made access difficult. A big closet that a parent help convert into a soft children's book area freed up plenty of space in the back of the room. Then, by rearranging the cubbies and getting a wall mounted easel to replace the big easel, we created a more inviting and useful area for the children. Area rugs help define the Block and Dramatic Play Areas. the furniture is arranged to allow movement between the two areas.