Regardless of where your learning environment is located, an important first step is to establish your learning categories. Ask yourself what the key educational topics are for your environment. For example, when determining learning categories for a first grade classroom some key areas to focus on are a reading center, where children can practice their literacy skills, or a flash card checkout, where students can work on addition and subtraction individually or with a partner.
To create an outdoor learning environment, educators can infuse both the equipment choices with opportunities to connect with nature. In addition to the standard playground equipment of swing sets, jungle gyms and slides, choose alternative options including a bean bag toss area or sandcastle station. To introduce elements of nature, naturalize your play area by planting trees, flowers and small shrubs. Along with the physical design, add nature stations where students can analyze insects and other outdoor elements.
When working to build a learning environment in a classroom, place your chosen learning categories in strategic areas around the room itself. For example, place a quiet area, such as a reading center or drawing spot, away from a louder area such as a puppet show area. In addition to the layout of the classroom, finding the right balance between engaging and overstimulating is essential. As an educator, provide your students with stimulating bulletin boards, books and learning areas.
Whether for an outdoor or indoor area, using child size items is essential for the success of your area. By providing students with toys, tools and classroom items that are in their size, you are eliminating the need for the children to ask an adult to assist them when they move between learning categories. In addition to this benefit, filling your learning environment with child size items will empower students as they realize they can be independent.