Creating Environments for Learning

Julie Bullard is a professor and director of the Early Childhood Education program at the University of Montana-Western.  During her thirty years in the early childhood field she has been a preschool and elementary teacher, child care director, Head Start administrator, and a teacher of adults receiving CDA’s, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees in early childhood.  She has been involved in the development of the Montana early childhood knowledge base, infant-toddler guidelines, preschool guidelines, kindergarten standards, and early childhood and elementary higher education standards.  Julie has had a passion for the importance of the early learning environment since completing coursework in architecture over thirty years ago.  She also has a special interest in curricular standards and is involved on several state and national committees to develop and implement high standards using play-based curriculum.   She is active on the National Association for Young Children (NAEYC) professional development panel and is a national reviewer of early childhood higher education programs.  She also serves on an oversight committee for NAEYC/NCATE accreditation.  Julie was recently appointed to serve on an NAEYC committee to revise the national early childhood higher education standards.  She serves on the National Association for Early Childhood Teacher Education (NAECTE) national board and is also on the NCATE  Board of Examiners.    Julie received her doctorate from Montana State University.  

CHAPTER 1:  UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Why is the environment important for children’s learning?

The environment and developmentally appropriate practice

Reducing behavioral issues through environmental design

Theorists and approaches supporting the importance of the environment

Guidelines for creating effective learning environments: Role of the teacher

Sample Application Activities

 

CHAPTER 2:  ESTABLISHING AN EMOTIONALLY SUPPORTIVE AND EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT

Circle of Courage: Defining an emotional supportive, equitable environment

Circle of Courage Foundations

The teacher's role in supporting the circle of courage

Sample Application Activities

 

CHAPTER 3:  ESTABLISHING A CONTEXT FOR LEARNING: DESIGNING SCHEDULES, TRANSITIONS, GROUPINGS, AND ASSESSMENTS 

Schedules: Structuring Time 

Designing Effective Transitions 

Planning Successful Groups

Assessing and Documenting Children's Learning

Sample Application Activities

 

CHAPTER 4:  CREATING A HEALTHY, SAFE ENVIRONMENT 

Preventing illness in early childhood settings 

Safety in early childhood environments 

Designing healthy, aesthetic bathrooms, diaper changing stations, and sleeping areas

Sample Application Activities

 

CHAPTER 5:  ARRANGING AN EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Guidelines for Creating a Room with Learning Centers

Guidelines for Developing Effective Room Arrangements and Floor Plans
Sample room arrangements

Furniture and Dividers

Storage 

Sample Application Activities 

 

CHAPTER 6:  DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Desired design outcomes

Design elements

Design palettes

Special design considerations

Sample application activities

 

CHAPTER 7:  DEVELOPING LITERACY CENTERS 

Stages of literacy development

How the literacy center enhances children's development

Designing an effective literacy center

Special considerations for infants and toddlers 

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the literacy center

Literacy in the outdoors

Sample application activities

 

CHAPTER 8: DEVELOPING MANIPULATIVE AND SENSORY CENTERS 

The manipulative center

Stages of fine motor development

How the manipulative center enhances children’s development 

Designing an effective manipulative center

Appropriate materials for the manipulative area

Special considerations for infants and toddlers

Special considerations for older children

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the manipulative center

The sensory center

Designing an effective sensory center

Appropriate materials for the sensory center

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the sensory center

Special challenges in the manipulative and sensory center 

Outdoor manipulative and sensory play 

Sample Application Activities 

 

CHAPTER 9: DEVELOPING SCIENCE CENTERS 

History of science education

Children's development of scientific concepts 

How the science center enhances children's development

Designing an effective science center 

Science center environments that support children's learning

Special considerations for infants and toddlers 

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the science center

Outdoor science centers
Sample application activities

 

CHAPTER 10: DEVELOPING MATH CENTERS

How children learn math

How the math center enhances children's development

Designing an effective math center

Appropriate materials for the math center 

Center materials relating to the math standards

Special considerations and materials for infants and toddlers 

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the math center

Outdoor math centers 

Sample application activities

 

CHAPTER 11:  DEVELOPING BLOCK AND BUILDING CENTERS

History of Blocks

Stages of Block Building 

How the block center enhances children's development 

Designing an effective block center 

Appropriate materials for the block center

Special considerations for infants and young toddlers

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the block center

Special challenges in the block area 

Outdoor block and building centers 

Sample application activities 

 

CHAPTER 12: DEVELOPING DRAMATIC PLAY CENTERS 

Development of dramatic play

How the dramatic play center enhances children's development

Designing an effective dramatic play center

Special considerations for infants and toddlers 

Special considerations for school age (K-3) children 

Changes to the dramatic play center

Prop boxes

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the dramatic play center

Special challenges in the dramatic play center

Outdoor dramatic play centers 

Sample application activities 

 

CHAPTER 13:  DEVELOPING ART CENTERS

Approaches to art

Stages of art in the early childhood years

How the art center enhances children's development

Designing an effective art center

Art goals: Creating and appreciating art

Appropriate activities and materials for creating art 

Special considerations and materials for infants and toddlers

Appropriate materials and activities for appreciating art

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the art center

Special challenges in the art area 

Outdoor art centers

Sample application activities

 

CHAPTER 14:  DEVELOPING MUSIC CENTERS 

Development of music skills 

How the music center enhances children's development

Designing the music center

Music standards

Appropriate materials for the music center 

Special considerations for infants and toddlers

Teachers' facilitation of learning in the music center 

Special challenges in the music center

Outdoor music centers

Sample application activities 

 

CHAPTER 15:  INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY 

How the use of technology can enhance children's development

Using technology in the classroom

Technology activities to support the curriculum

Special considerations for infants and toddlers 

Teachers’ facilitation of learning through technology

Sample application activities

 

CHAPTER 16: SPECIAL INTEREST CENTERS 

Centers to support theme and project-based learning

Indoor physical or fitness center

Puppetry centers

Cooking and snack centers

Woodworking and carpentry centers

Sample application activities 

 

CHAPTER 17: CREATING OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

The value of outdoor play

Protecting children's right to play outdoors

History of playgrounds

Types of playgrounds

How playing in the outdoors enhances children’s development

Designing an effective outdoor environment

Designing playgrounds for specific age groups 

Teachers’ facilitation of learning in the outdoor environment 

Sample application activities

 

CHAPTER 18: CREATING SPACES FOR FAMILIES AND TEACHERS

Meeting the needs of families 

Meeting the needs of staff

Sample application activities 

 

CHAPTER 19: MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES 

Creating centers in small spaces 

Free and inexpensive materials to assist a limited budget 

Establishing an early childhood program in your home

Designing the afterschool space

Sample application activities

 

REFEREENCES