Early Childhood Environment Analysis

Highlights from the article

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how educators in the early childhood field can create an environment for children that is beneficial to development and enhance their thinking and learning skills. The author states that over the years, more and more observations of early childhood programs across the U.S. and some other countries to see what environments help to convey knowledge better for children. The authors states a caution that, “…we have seen: whether in Alaska, Florida or Massachusetts, all programs are starting to look like an early childhood catalog. Centers do not reflect the identity of the families and communities” (Curtis and Carter, 34). They then goes on to say that many programs apply

When people think about a room for children to reside, they do not always take into consideration all the aspects that go into making a room ideal for children. I agree whole-heartedly with what the authors are stating in the article. Environments should reflect what interests the children, as well as educators’ goals and objectives for a space. A developmentally appropriate space for children should reflect on both the educator and the children. There is no point in creating a space that is “perfect” for the teacher. If it does not meet the children’s needs; chaos will ensue. But as a teacher, I also understand the importance of maintaining a space that is orderly and flows nicely to keep my sanity. There is a happy medium that must be met in finding the right materials to be used, space and furniture arrangement, and overall flow of the room to satisfy everyone. But I do believe it is important to keep the needs of the children above the educator’s because without the children, there would be no job. With that being said, creating an environment for children that promotes their creativity with open-ended materials, and furniture that helps keep them centered, with like pillows and soft materials to calm down when needed, is very beneficial. An important key point that really stuck out to me was that educators sometimes forget why rules and regulations are in place. They are

Sometimes, as educators, we think that we are doing a great job with the environment we are putting children in, but it is important that we take things from the child’s perspective as well. Children need a space that conforms to their needs and can be adjusted at any time. They need to understand how to make adjustments themselves, like pulling a curtain across to create a quiet space. Educators need to put materials that have multiple uses and different areas as well. This will help their imagination to think outside the box. Keeping creativity alive will also boost child’s development. When they are given time and a space to work quietly with others, with the help of a room divider, children are learning cooperating skills that benefit everyone. But I believe the most important point in this article is to keep educators thinking about children when they design a child’s environment. Don’t forget that the most important thing that can be done to help foster the child is not set unbendable restrictions on their environment. The more flexible and adjustable an educators views may be will provide a more positive environment for the children