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To know how to set up the environment, the early childhood educator must consider the children's physical, cognitive, and social-emotional needs—all of which overlap. The environment is an important teacher, so it requires careful planning. The layout of the early childhood program should be broken down into physical-care centers, interest centers, and gross-motor centers. Other factors of environmental planning include space, activity choices, circulation patterns, balance, and health and safety. The environment reflects the values of the program. If the program values independence, the environment will be set up so that children can do things for themselves. If it values cooperation, the room arrangement and choice of toys will encourage children to work and play together. A program that has an antibias focus will have a slightly different look from one that takes a multicultural approach without emphasizing activism. Other values that might be reflected by the early childhood program include authenticity, exploration, human interaction, and aesthetics. Early childhood environments vary according to the program's enrollment, length of day, location, and whether the children are segregated by age. Although there may be some similarities among the six programs discussed, each type of early childhood program must plan and arrange its environment to fit the specific needs of the children it serves. |