Creating An Affirming Environment – Early Childhood Master’s Education
An ideal learning environment for me would be safe, organized, structured around the children, welcoming, and fun. I enjoy doing lots of hands-on activities with my students. They are not only learning words but also seeing the actual images of the topic covered. It can also be an environment for us all to have better communication. We can learn about each other and have/ share different or similar experiences. Their Social, physical, mental, psychological, and developmental skills can be enhanced. In this mindset, I would be as positive as possible, creating boundaries, and an anti-bias setting, especially when there will be a class of multicultural kids in my care.
There will be different areas of interest such as Library, Arts and crafts, sand and water, Math, science, word wall, Blocks, dramatic play, sensory wall, and circle time. According to Derman-Sparks & Edwards (2010) states that “when we look to design our spaces, we should make sure materials support the home life of the children, families, and staff.” This should be so that the children can have that home and comfort feeling free without a force.
A Break Down of the Area/ Space!
Library Area– Low-level shelves (eye level and hand reach) soft toys (muppets), cozy throw pillows, and blankets.
Building Blocks Area– Blocks of different sizes, colors, textures, and shapes, different vehicles such as police cars, dump trucks, ambulances, planes, boats, street signs, maps, people, animals, roads, rugs, trees, houses, buildings, sun, clouds, raindrops, snow and community helpers (Doctors, nurses, teachers, etc).
Dramatic Play Area– Multicultural dolls, Multicultural clothing, jewelry, bags, phones (cell and landlines), money, foods, drinks, dishes, sink, stove, Kitchen, tables, chairs, notebooks, crayons, markers, and aprons.
Art Area/Center– Paints, paper, crayons, markers, chalk, dry erase boards, large play-doh, plastic scissors, glue, feathers, quilt, paintbrushes, ribbons, string, pom poms, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, construction papers, oak tree papers, and poster boards.
Word wall Area– word of the day( sunny, rainy, snowy, etc), new word learned (transportation, respect, etc), days of the week, and months of the year.
Science Area– Leaves, Goggles, magnets, magnifying glasses, fish tank, wind-mills, thermometer, rocks, water, and science books.
Sensory wall– Different textures, shapes, and sizes of sponges. Soft, hard, ridges, rough, smooth, bumpy, etc.
Circle time Area– Learning the days of the week, months of the year, what’s the weather like identifying old and new words, singing songs such as ABC, wheels on the bus, rowing your boat, and feelings. Playing “I spy” and asking different questions about their weekend and what you want to share?
I would also include a parent corner to share with the class on event days as their culture, foods, etc… They will have access to research centers and resources of any kind. We will have a family fun day and night, cultural day and night, weekly outings, and monthly community givebacks ensuring that every family and their child feels welcome, safe, and comfortable which will help to create a crucial foundation for mutually respectful relationships (Derman-Sparks & Edwards, 2010).
Derman-Sparks, L., & Edwards, J. O. (2010). Anti-bias education for young children and ourselves. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
