Best Practice

Best Practice: Sometimes the simplest strategy to engage children purposefully in their environment can be the most effective. When a preschool environment is well organized with stimulating materials, children self- initiate play and learn to self- regulate their behaviors. But how can a room arrangement be so powerful?

Think about a store that you hate to go shopping in. Is it disorganized, does it have poor lighting, are things constantly being moved, are stock items not grouped logically or are the aisles very crowded? Do you sometimes get annoyed because you can not find what you are looking for? Maybe you ask for help, but by the time someone comes to assist you, you have lost interest, and just leave. Now think about a store you enjoy going to. Is it well organized and can you rely on the store stock always being in the same place? Do you find the items grouped by logical categories and within your reach? Do you have room to move around so you are not crowded while you do your shopping? Do you feel comforted, self-reliant and independent because you can find what you need when you need it?

A child's learning environment is the same as a store is to adults. When materials are thoughtfully grouped, organized, labeled and within their reach, children become confident learners because they are in control. Life is predictable. So do a little survey of your block area in your classroom:

• Are you blocks on a low shelf?
• Do you have pictures or drawings to show children where to replace different size blocks?
• Are your blocks near an area rug?
• Is the area well defined so children know what to do when they are there?
• Is the area away from a high traffic area so children feel comfortable while building?
• Are there a variety of props to enhance children's play, such as castle, small people, farm/zoo animals, dinosaurs, cars and trucks, etc?

Take a more critical look and see where there is room for improvement. What can you do to improve your block area so children feel successful, stay engaged, feel independent, responsible and use materials in creative imaginative ways?

If you would like to evaluate your whole classroom, try using the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale (ECRS) by Thema Harms and Debbie Cryer (1 800 575-6566). An Excellent video: The New Room Arrangement as a Teaching Strategy by Diane Trister Dodge supports the project approach and is part of the Creative Curriculum (1-800-637-3652). Both of these resources can be purchased individually or by a center as part of staff development.

A room arrangement can have a powerful impact on children's play and social behavior, either positive or negative. Research has demonstrated that the simple strategy of organizing the learning environment for children can influence their emotional growth and foster cognitive skill development.

Poor Practice: When children do not engage appropriately with materials, adults frequently view that behavior as challenging. The room arrangement is often overlooked as a strategy that can help children feel organized, feel secure, and in fact can support their play.