1. ROOM ARRANGEMENT Preschool Layout

2. Effects of Room Arrangement Influences how children act and learn –Prompts children to use materials –Easily accessible, inviting Children will be happy if the room is a welcoming place –Comfortable, pleasing to the eye, safe Children will act orderly if the room is orderly –Can be the cause of disruptive behavior

3. This is a Good Place to Be Furniture is clean, safe, and well maintained. Wall decorations are largely made up of children’s art displayed attractively at their eye level. Colorful decorations, plants, pillows are used

4. You Belong Here Personal cubby for each child Furniture is child sized Pictures, books, & learning materials with different ethnic & economic backgrounds & people with disabilities

5. This Is a Place You Can Trust There is a well defined schedule Materials & toys are available Materials labeled and easy to find

6. You Can Do Many Things On Your Own Materials are stored on low shelves so children can use materials on their own Materials are logically organized Shelves are labeled with pictures to show where things belong

7. You Can Get Away and Be By Yourself When You Need To Small, quiet areas for one or two children Large pillow or stuffed chair Headphones for individual listening

8. This Is a Safe Place to Explore and Try Out Your Ideas Protected and defined small areas for small group activities Smocks for art and water play to avoid fear of getting soiled Outdoor area is fenced in Toys are rotated so there frequently is something new to interest children

9. GUIDELINE Materials must be “Child Size” Picture & Bulletin Boards should be at child’s eye level Organized & uncluttered Keep learning centers separate from each other Everything must have a place Create a sense of arrival and welcome

10. TRAFFIC FLOW Do not have large spaces for running Fill outer edges, center is the pathway –A square center is dead space –Irregular or rectangle easier to use Children in one center cannot reach children in another unit No need to walk through units to get to another

11. APPEARANCE Clean, neat and cheerful –Neatness enhances learning Color can provide a cheerful atmosphere

12. EFFECT OF COLOR LIGHT BLUE WHITE LIGHT GREEN YELLOW ORANGE RED PURPLE Clean, pure, frank, cool, youthful Peaceful, refreshing, restful Happy, cheerful Welcoming, forceful, energetic Welcoming, energetic, forceful, stimulating Mournful Comfortable, soothing, secure, tender Question: What colors do you think would be best for A day care or preschool?

13. SAFETY Teachers must be able to see and supervise all areas of the room All materials must be safe and in working order Outside doors need to be visible and locked to the outside and to the children Storage of hazardous materials must be locked

14. Planning Outdoor Environments Enough empty space Broad, easily visible paths Children in one unit cannot reach children in another unit No need to walk through play units to get to another No dead space No blind space

15. Outdoor Play Area Problems Lack of shade Northern exposures Poor drainage Broken equipment Too few things and play space

16. Need for Complexity Provide opportunity to lengthen attention span and expand on play Make settings for children to meet each other and socialize More opportunities for choice

17. Activity: PRESCHOOL LAYOUT Use the Lakeshore classroom designers and arrange the preschool to include: 1.Cubbies for children and sign in desk 2.Eating/Art Area close to a sink (may be separate or combined) should have enough seating for 15 children 3.Dramatic play area 4.Library/literacy center 5.Circle time area with rug 6.Science/math center 7.Small Manipulative area with table 8.Construction center 9.Sensory table 10.Music (space for music center may be combined with circle time area as long as it has storage for appropriate materials) 11.Space to Lay out 15 Nap Mats