Preschool Physical Environment
Content Review Week Two
Ernestine Brodie
Walden University
Decisions with regard to creating optimal preschool physical environments involve much more than thoughtful consideration about where to place classroom furnishings. Considering what you have learned about preschoolers needs and dimensions of quality environments, use examples to explain at least three ways that optimal physical environments can foster opportunities for growth and learning. According to Gestwicki (2014) Elizabeth Prescott advocates a balance of dimensions for optimum environments that encourage kinds of play that enhance children’s development (p. 169). These optimal physical environments help to foster children’s growth and learning. One of those …show more content…
High mobility gives children the freedom to move around and foster gross motor skills and active movement such as running; low mobility allows children to be still and foster fine motor skills by performing activities such as putting puzzle together and story time (Gestwicki, 2014, p. 170). Another aspect of the physical environment that can foster opportunities for children’s growth and learning is the risk/safety dimension. According to Gestwicki (2014) there is a difference in teaching children how to do challenging things with care and forbidding any kind of risk because it is unsafe (p. 171). Risk taking such as swinging and jumping off allow children to take interesting ricks using their bodies and space. This kind of risky play allows children to develop. “The way physical space is arranged implies an underlying philosophy that will have a definite impact on what children can and will do in learning activities (Gestwicki, 2014, p. …show more content…
One example of this is teachers providing a small, quiet, soft area for children. According to Gestwicki (2014) small, quiet, soft areas should be available with a clear purpose explained to children so they learn that withdrawal is approved and sometimes necessary as children learn about controlling their feelings, private spaces are important components of an environment for self-control (p. 181). Also, effective learning areas promote exploration, discovery, choices, and
Ernestine Brodie
Walden University
Decisions with regard to creating optimal preschool physical environments involve much more than thoughtful consideration about where to place classroom furnishings. Considering what you have learned about preschoolers needs and dimensions of quality environments, use examples to explain at least three ways that optimal physical environments can foster opportunities for growth and learning. According to Gestwicki (2014) Elizabeth Prescott advocates a balance of dimensions for optimum environments that encourage kinds of play that enhance children’s development (p. 169). These optimal physical environments help to foster children’s growth and learning. One of those …show more content…
High mobility gives children the freedom to move around and foster gross motor skills and active movement such as running; low mobility allows children to be still and foster fine motor skills by performing activities such as putting puzzle together and story time (Gestwicki, 2014, p. 170). Another aspect of the physical environment that can foster opportunities for children’s growth and learning is the risk/safety dimension. According to Gestwicki (2014) there is a difference in teaching children how to do challenging things with care and forbidding any kind of risk because it is unsafe (p. 171). Risk taking such as swinging and jumping off allow children to take interesting ricks using their bodies and space. This kind of risky play allows children to develop. “The way physical space is arranged implies an underlying philosophy that will have a definite impact on what children can and will do in learning activities (Gestwicki, 2014, p. …show more content…
One example of this is teachers providing a small, quiet, soft area for children. According to Gestwicki (2014) small, quiet, soft areas should be available with a clear purpose explained to children so they learn that withdrawal is approved and sometimes necessary as children learn about controlling their feelings, private spaces are important components of an environment for self-control (p. 181). Also, effective learning areas promote exploration, discovery, choices, and