The Ideal Learning Environment For Preschoolers

Learning is perhaps one of the most important parts of a young child's life. As a child grows and matures the skills she is taught will help sculpt her into a productive and happy adolescent. As Early Childhood Professionals it is our job and goal to provide an ideal learning environment for a child. But how do we provide an environment that protects, encourages, enables and enriches a child's life? This paper will explore what it takes to create the ideal learning environment for a child.

First and foremost for a child to have the best chances of success in the learning environment the learning area has to make a child feel safe and welcome. Equipment such as the play yard outside or the chairs and tables inside the classroom need to be clean and sturdy so that children know that they are cared enough about that the equipment is taken care of. All toys and materials need to be age appropriate as well as safe and clean for children to use. Also having cubby areas for each child lets them know that they are wanted there and that their things have a special place in the classroom to be kept safe in. Each child too, should have the ability to have interactive one on one time with the teachers or teacher's aides. One on one attention lets a child know that they are special and cared for. This also allows for teachers and teacher's aides to evaluate the child and determine if any developmental or learning problems are present and plan a course of action to help the child succeed in the classroom. In order to allow for the one on one attention with the children, classroom sizes will have to be limited depending on the amount of teacher's and teacher's aides available. The children should never outnumber the staff so much so that a child won't get proper attention and care.

The layout of a classroom is very important in regards to learning as well. Classrooms should have several stations to allow children a variety of activities and thus be able to learn more during the day. (Ilisa Cohen, 2007) Activities should include a story corner, science area, block area, art area, puzzle table, and an outdoor play area. (Ilisa Cohen, 2007) In addition to the separate areas a privacy area should be provided for children who need a break from all the activity or who are overwhelmed and need some alone time. In the center of the classroom there should be a circle area where the teachers and children can get together and play a game, do story time, or have show and tell.

Nutrition is also important in the classroom. Proper nutrition provides happy children who'll learn better. Studies have linked impaired functioning of the central nervous system to poor nutrition which can lead to cognitive and behavioral outcomes in childhood and adolescence. (Puckett & Black, 2005) Meals and snacks should all be held at a certain time so that children know what to expect each day and won't stress out over the unknown. In addition to encouraging learning having the proper nutrition protects children from illness which will allow a child to attend class more often thus enable optimal learning. (Puckett & Black, 2005)

Along with a meal schedule there should be a daily schedule of activities that doesn't vary too much day to day. Children stress over the unknown and knowing what to expect each day lets a child focus on learning rather than on what may be coming next. Schedules also prevent anxiety which could lead to children acting out.
Overall a classroom should provide a child with a feeling a safety, love, comfort and acceptance. When a classroom encompasses all of these things you have created the ideal learning environment for a child.