The Learning Environment and Play
A Well Designed Environment - correct answer--Many opportunities for children to play (as
suggested by Comenius)
-Child-sized furniture and accessible and orderly shelves (as recommended by Montessori)
-Inviting hands-on materials like parquetry blocks and paper with scissors (based on the gifts
and occupations of Froebel)
-Daily opportunities for play outdoors with mud, sand, and water (as prescribed by Margaret
& Rachel McMillan)
-Unit blocks (designed by C. Pratt)
-Natural play materials (as described by Steiner)
-Environments filled with light and beauty
Space - correct answer--All young children need a clearly defined "home" space for their
group or class.
-They also need an outdoor play area with access to nature and space for activity play that
can be used year-round.
-35 square feet usable space per child indoors is needed
-75 square feet of outside play space for each child playing outside at any one time is
needed (AAP, APHA, & NRC, 2002)
-There is also a need to provide access for individuals who use walkers or wheelchairs
Principles for arranging space - correct answer-Arrange the environment for safety and
health.
-In a program for infants/toddlers, adults must be able to see all of the children, all of the
time.
-In a program for preschoolers, a preschooler may be safely playing in one area while you
work with other children a few feet away, supervising all the children by sight and sound.
While standing, you should be able to see the whole preschool room or yard and all the
children and easy to supervise throughout the day.
Organize the environment in areas (Areas=zones=centers) - correct answer-Olds (2001)
suggest thinking of a classroom for young children as having 2 regions: a wet region and a
dry region.
-infant/toddlers need care or routine areas in which to be changed and washed, to sleep, to
eat, and to play.
-preschoolers and kindergartners need areas for books, blocks, manipulative toys, sensory
experiences, inquiry activities, art, writing, dramatic play, and vigorous physical play.
Outdoor Learning Environment - correct answer-Outdoor space and equipment should
support a range of developmental goals: physical, social, cognitive, and creative
Outdoor activity zones - correct answer-Transition zone
Active play zone
Natural elements zone
A Well Designed Environment - correct answer--Many opportunities for children to play (as
suggested by Comenius)
-Child-sized furniture and accessible and orderly shelves (as recommended by Montessori)
-Inviting hands-on materials like parquetry blocks and paper with scissors (based on the gifts
and occupations of Froebel)
-Daily opportunities for play outdoors with mud, sand, and water (as prescribed by Margaret
& Rachel McMillan)
-Unit blocks (designed by C. Pratt)
-Natural play materials (as described by Steiner)
-Environments filled with light and beauty
Space - correct answer--All young children need a clearly defined "home" space for their
group or class.
-They also need an outdoor play area with access to nature and space for activity play that
can be used year-round.
-35 square feet usable space per child indoors is needed
-75 square feet of outside play space for each child playing outside at any one time is
needed (AAP, APHA, & NRC, 2002)
-There is also a need to provide access for individuals who use walkers or wheelchairs
Principles for arranging space - correct answer-Arrange the environment for safety and
health.
-In a program for infants/toddlers, adults must be able to see all of the children, all of the
time.
-In a program for preschoolers, a preschooler may be safely playing in one area while you
work with other children a few feet away, supervising all the children by sight and sound.
While standing, you should be able to see the whole preschool room or yard and all the
children and easy to supervise throughout the day.
Organize the environment in areas (Areas=zones=centers) - correct answer-Olds (2001)
suggest thinking of a classroom for young children as having 2 regions: a wet region and a
dry region.
-infant/toddlers need care or routine areas in which to be changed and washed, to sleep, to
eat, and to play.
-preschoolers and kindergartners need areas for books, blocks, manipulative toys, sensory
experiences, inquiry activities, art, writing, dramatic play, and vigorous physical play.
Outdoor Learning Environment - correct answer-Outdoor space and equipment should
support a range of developmental goals: physical, social, cognitive, and creative
Outdoor activity zones - correct answer-Transition zone
Active play zone
Natural elements zone
