Early Essentials Webisode 7 Practice Moment: Environments that Support Learning
Use this video to find ways to reflect and deepen practices to create welcoming environments for infants, toddlers, and their families.
Learning Environments
Learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all young children. They include classrooms, play spaces, areas for caregiving routines, and outdoor areas. Learning environments are well-organized and managed settings. They offer developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor chances for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation. Learning environments include age-appropriate equipment, materials, and supplies. They integrate home cultures and are flexible to support the changing ages, interests, and characteristics of a group of children over time. In home-based programs, the learning environment includes the home, community, and group socialization spaces.
Spending Time Outdoors Matters for Infants and Toddlers!
This podcast shares some of the benefits that infants and toddlers gain by spending quality time outside. It also offers some ideas for how Early Head Start staff and parents can make the most of outdoor time.
Creating Outdoor Spaces
Early Head Start teachers and home visitors may use this resource to set up spaces for families using community resources such as parks, gardens, and nearby schools.
Learning at Home and Homelike Environments
This resource will teach home visitors, program staff, caregivers and other early childhood educators how to create a space that is welcoming and homelike for children.
Environment as Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers
This resource will teach home visitors, program staff, caregivers, and other early childhood educators how to create a safe, playful, and welcoming learning environment for infants and toddlers.