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12/28/2021

Environments that Reflect Our Vision of Children

All of us inhabit settings, and much can be learned through observing and analyzing our own reactions to built spaces, and the reactions of others… In carrying out the business of daily life, how do spatial arrangements assist or get in the way?
Jim Greenman, Caring Spaces, Learning Places

“We can create environments that reflect and support our vision of children as capable, powerful designers of their own learning. We can make a point of opening up opportunities for children to have influence on the physical space in which they work and play.” So writes Sarah Felstiner in an article that’s part of Exchange Essentials: Designing Intentional Play Spaces and Learning Environments, Felstiner shares a range of ideas she’s used with children in her care:

Indoors and out, “perhaps the simplest and most powerful way to involve children in classroom design is to offer materials that let children reconstruct and change the environment daily. If those items are readily available to children, they can use them as needed to design their own playscapes, experimenting and figuring out what they want.” In addition:


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