Make a better learning environment by creating it around preschoolers and their particular needs. Make their learning environment one with which they can identify and in which they feel comfortable. A child-centered learning setting means scaling everything down to their size. Shelves that reach to the ceiling are overwhelming. Cut them down to size so you can use the top of the shelves for objects of interest to the preschool students. Desks, chairs and tables should all reflect the size and capabilities of the preschool children who are still working on dexterity and coordination. When choosing where to place pictures, shapes and other items on the walls, make them eye level for the children. Make the room and items they’ll use accessible and just their size.
Preschoolers are not all the same. Some will be jumping up and down when others need quiet time or even a place to rest. Some may be ready to look at a book while others want to study the fish in the aquarium. A positive learning setting creates areas in the room where different activities take place. Once they learn what is expected in each area or at each learning station, the preschoolers will be ready to focus on what you have for them at those areas. It also means you can direct children to the station that best meets their need at a particular time during the day.
Create a better learning environment with the judicious use of color. Preschoolers respond to colors either in a positive or negative fashion. For those areas of the classroom the children can be active, use bold, bright primary colors. Keep the colors bold, but not so bright and garish and not so many bright colors mixed together the result becomes harsh rather than inviting. If you have areas where preschoolers are to be quiet or rest, use softer tones of the primary colors. Too much black, brown or gray can depress rather than engage.
Preschool children naturally like to use all their senses to discover the world around them. They will look at, touch, push, crinkle, smell and even taste items at times to see what things are all about. Creating a better learning environment incorporates textures. Add texture to the walls with murals, pictures and bulletin boards using three-dimensional shapes, numbers, letters or other appropriate items. Even the carpet should have an interesting pattern and be something the children wish to touch. Add texture with regular and educational toys.
Safety is an important factor in creating a better learning setting for preschool children. Children need to not only feel safe, but be safe. This means rounded edges on furnishings. Walls need to have safe paint on them and not be peeling, and shelves need to be firmly fastened so they won’t tip over if a preschooler decides to climb them. Tables and chairs need to have four solid legs and not easily tipped over. There should be a safe place, out of the reach of the children, to keep tools that might injure or harm them. The room should have both a fire extinguisher and smoke detectors. There should be a first aid kit easily accessible for the adults and with adults trained in basic first aid measures. The best learning environment is a safe one.