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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Create appropriate indoor play environments for young children.
2. Assess and plan children's learning environments using innovative and creative strategies.
3. Meet the developmental needs of children birth through age 8 in early childhood programs through environmental design.
4. Develop plans for a variety of learning areas appropriate to the developmental level of the children served.
5. Plan components of an indoor environment that support children with special needs.
6. Identify and utilize different environmental assessment tools.
7. Describe the role environments play in young children's learning.
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I. General Principles of Early Childhood Environment Design
A. Supporting whole child development through the environment
B. Maria Montessori's environment design theories
C. Modern contributions to environment design theory and practice
1. Anita Olds
2. Jim Greenman
3. Cryer and Harms Environmental Rating Scales
4. California Community Care Licensing requirements
5. Carter and Curtis Designs for Living and Learning
6. Incorporation of natural elements and loose parts
II. Elements of the Environment
A. Health and Safety
B. Learning areas that promote development
1. Biosocial development
2. Psychosocial development
3. Cognitive development
4. Language development
C. Family friendly space
D. Supportive environments for caregivers and teachers
E. Elements that support pro-social behaviors
F. Elements that reflect racial, cultural and family diversity in the environment
G. Flexible space for Family Child Care
III. Environments that Support Children's Developmental Needs
A. Environments for infants
B. Environments for toddlers
C. Environments for preschool-age children
D. Unique considerations for Transitional Kindergarten programs
E. Unique considerations for after school programs
IV. Choosing Furnishing and Materials
A. Safety
B. Developmental considerations
C. Flexibility
V. Considerations for Creative Environments
A. Loose parts for creative play
B. Elements that provoke curiosity and intellectual development
C. Design elements that create flexibility and encourage multiple uses
VI. Early Childhood Learning Environmental Assessment Tools
A. Common assessment tools
1. Early Childhood Rating Scale (ECERS) tools
2. Finding alternative tools
B. Selection and use of appropriate environmental assessment tools
VII. Creating Interest Areas for Learning
A. Block area arrangement and materials
B. Dramatic Play area arrangement and materials
C. Art area arrangement and materials
D. Science and Sensory play area arrangement and materials
E. Language, Literacy and Reading area arrangement and materials
F. Math and Manipulative play area arrangement and materials
G. Flexible arrangement of interest areas
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1. Reading of assigned text and handouts (approximately 150 pages total)
2. Participation in class activities and/or online discussion activities.
3. Select an indoor environment rating tool and conduct an assessment for one of the specified age groups
4. Written report based on the rating scale assessment, with an emphasis on supporting the development of the whole child (approximately 2000 words)
5. Design and create a graphic plan and/or model of an indoor environment for young children that demonstrates age-appropriate components (diagram and written paper of approximately 1500 words)
6. Reading or article response(s) (1-3 essays, approximately 1000 words each)
7. Interest area design plan (diagram and written paper of approximately 1500 words)
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Designs for Living and Learning: Transforming Early Childhood Environments. 2nd ed. Curtis, Deb and Carter, Margie. Redleaf Press. 2014. (classic).
Instructor prepared materials