LEARNING+ENVIRONMENT

= THE LEARNING ENVIRONMEMT =

 Play orientated exploratory activities incorporating materials, manipulation, choice, child language and thought, and adult scaffolding.
 * Active Learning**

A warm, supportive climate in which children and adults are partners throughout the day.
 * Adult -Child Interactions **

**Daily Routine** Provides children and adults with consistency and predictability. Flexibility and student choice is part of the routine.

Learning Centers
Contribute to children’s growth in all developmental areas by providing for a wide range of activities and types of play through inviting, developmentally appropriate materials and equipment indoors and outdoors: blocks, dramatic play **, ** toys and games, art, library, discovery, sand and water, music and movement, cooking, computers, outdoors.

[|CHILDREN AT WORK-OPEN HOUSE PP.pptx]

**Blocks**

Blocks, the hard wood units that come in proportional sizes and shapes, are one of the most valuable learning materials in our classroom. When they build with blocks, children learn about sizes and shapes, spatial relationships, math concepts, and problem solving. When children lift, shove, stack, and move blocks, they learn about weight and size. Each time they use blocks, they are making decisions about how to build a structure or solve a construction problem.

**Dramatic Play **
Dramatic play areas such as the house corner are a very important part of our classroom. In dramatic play or pretend play children take on a role and recreate real-life experiences. They use props and make-believe about a wide variety of topics. The ability to pretend is very important to children's later academic success in school. When children pretend, they have to recall experiences they've had and re-create them. To do this, they have to be able to picture their experiences in their minds. For example, to play the role of a doctor, children have to remember what tools a doctor uses, how a doctor examines a patient, and what a doctor says. In playing the role of a doctor, children have to be able to cooperate with other children and defend their own ideas.


 * Toys and Games **

Table toys include puzzles, various table blocks, and other small construction materials such as Lego, and collections of objects (including shells, bottle caps, and buttons). When children use table toys, they learn many new skills and concepts, including: · sorting and classifying things according to their own categories; · judging distance, direction, right and left, up and down; · describing what they are thinking and doing

<span style="color: #244631; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-default-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Art is an important part of our curriculum. Every day, children find a variety of art materials available on our shelves. Drawing, painting, cutting, pasting, and playing with play dough are not only enjoyable but also provide important opportunities for learning. Children express original ideas and feelings, improve their coordination, develop small muscle skills, learn to recognize colors and textures, and develop creativity and pride in their accomplishments by exploring and using art materials.
 * Art **

<span style="color: #244631; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-default-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">The library area is an essential part of our program and of your child's life. It's where children gain the foundations for reading and writing. It's also a place where children can relax and enjoy the wonderful world of children's literature. We encourage children to use the library on their own. We invite them to look at books, to listen to taped stories, and to "write" throughout the day. We also work with children one- on-one and in small groups.
 * Library **

<span style="color: #244631; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 8pt; language: en-US; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-default-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Play with sand and water involves sensory experiences that appeal to young children. While sand and water play can delight the senses, it can also challenge children’s minds and promote development in all areas of development including working together, using small muscles, exploring scientifically, and using language <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 8pt; language: en-US; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-default-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">.
 * Sand and Water **

<span style="color: #244631; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 8pt; language: en-US; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-cyrillic-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-default-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-greek-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latin-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-latinext-font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Outdoor play is an important part of our curriculum. When the children are outdoors, they like to run, jump, climb, and use all the large muscles in their bodies. They need space to work out and let off steam. They can race around, breathe the fresh air, look at the clouds, or catch a ball or a bag. They not only satisfy their physical need for large muscle activity but also develop a sense of wonder about the miracles that take place in nature.
 * Outdoor Play **