EARLY LEARNING

ENVIRONMENT
 Course Description:
This course focuses on the planning, setting up and evaluating
developmentally-appropriate and child-centered physical, interpersonal and
temporal learning environments in diverse early childhood settings. This course
also explores early childhood organizational plans, procedures, physical facilities
and surveys appropriate materials and equipment. Emphasis is placed on the
process of designing appropriate learning environments for young children.
 Lesson Outline
A. Review of the Developmentally Appropriate Practices
B. Overview of the Course
1. Setting-up and Maintaining the Classroom
2. Establishing a Structure for Each Day
3. Creating a Classroom Community
C. Characteristics of Successful Preschool Classroom Managers
D. Temporal Environment
- Daily Routines and Schedules - children need routine and familiar faces
- planning for physical needs - planning for social needs
- planning for emotional needs - planning for intellectual needs
- planning a workable schedule - planning for emergencies
E. Physical Environment
1. Blocks Area 2. Dramatic Play Area 3. Math Area
4. Art Area 5. Library Area / Book Corner 6. Discovery Area
7. Sand and Water Area 8. Music and Movement Area 9. Cooking Area
10.Computer Area
 Lesson Outline
11.Environmental Issues
- setting up an interesting and attractive classroom
- conducting successful circle times - planning for meals - organizing centers
F. Interpersonal Environment
1. General Principles
- catching preschoolers being good
- ignoring negative behavior
2. Building Caring Communities
- Teaching negotiation skills - Learning turn-taking - Learning to make decisions
- Understanding others’ viewpoints - Learning to be part of the play setting
- Interpersonal problem-solving skills - Handling disappointments - Handling tattling
- Handling children who use foul language - When children lie
- Working with children who steal - Teaching altruism
3. Parent Partnerships
- Honoring diversity - Parenting styles - Collaborative relationships
- - Communicating with parents
 Lesson Outline
4. Analyzing problem behavior
- Events in the child’s life
- Triggers
- Consequences for behavior
- Some common child needs
- Dealing with problem Behaviors
5. Teaching Alternative Behavior
- Alternative ways of behaving
- Social scripts and general principles
- Using “time-out” properly
6. Communication Skills
- Communication and behavior
- General principles in teaching social communication
- Non-verbal communication
 Requirements for Class

• Midterm and Final Examination

• Quizzes and Activities
• Small Group Discussion
• Individual Presentation
• Research/Group Project
 Thank You!
Do you have any questions for me before we go?