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Responsive Learning Environments

Explore this brief to learn ways home visitors can create responsive learning environments to support children’s development. Find the most up-to-date information to answer three prompts:

  • What does research say?
  • What does it look like?
  • Try this!

There’s also an accompanying resource, Connecting at Home. It includes easy-to-try tips to help families create responsive learning environments at home.

Teacher reading book to infant

Research Notes

Learning environments are the nurturing spaces that support children’s development. This includes the home, socialization spaces, child care centers, outdoor spaces, and other areas a child visits each day. It also includes schedules and materials in these spaces. 

Responsive environments are tailored to meet each child’s developmental levels, needs, cultures, and interests. Responsive adults like parents and teachers are always the most important part of any learning environment. You can use the environment as a tool to support school readiness for all children.

The Take Home

  • Responsive learning environments are welcoming and engaging. They are tailored to each child’s needs and interests.
  • Learning environments include homes, socialization spaces, classrooms, and outdoor areas. They also include other areas a child visits during their daily life.
  • Responsive adults are the most important part of any learning environment. This includes parents, caregivers, home visitors, and teachers.

What does the research say?

  • Responsive adults are the most important part of any learning environment. This includes parents, caregivers, home visitors, and teachers. Responsive adults are nurturing and sensitive to each child’s temperament and needs.
  • Learning environments can influence relationships and support positive behavior. For example, if a child sees many things they are not allowed to play with, adults may say, “don’t touch that” a lot. When adults provide an “environment of yes,” children are less likely to exhibit behavioral concerns.
  • Environments engage children when they include a variety of culturally relevant materials. Children learn best when materials are open-ended, with no “wrong” way to use them. Follow children’s lead: they will show you what interests them!
  • Engaging learning environments provide extra support for children learning more than one language. Children can use the environment to communicate with you. They might not know the word for “elephant” but they can reach for a toy elephant to show you what they know!
  • Home language is a key part of children’s understanding of who they are. This is essential for school readiness and life success. Responsive learning environments integrate children’s home languages and cultures.
  • Environments provide supports for children with disabilities or suspected delays throughout the daily routine. Planned adaptations and modifications make things go more smoothly for children, family members, and staff. This also helps increase children’s engagement and learning. For example, a bowl that is attached to a table with a suction cup can help a child learning to scoop with a spoon eat independently.

What does it look like?

  • Learning spaces are safe, welcoming, and comfortable for all. Everyone can take part in activities. This includes children with identified disabilities or suspected delays.
  • Environmental supports can help. These are small changes to ongoing activities or materials that can increase children’s participation. For example, add non-toxic rubber to the handle of a rattle so it’s easier to grasp and shake.
  • Children can access materials easily. There are many engaging materials to choose from. But not so many that could overwhelm children. There are calm spaces children can seek out as needed.
  • The learning environment includes appropriate physical challenges. This supports children’s motor and perceptual development. For example, there are padded areas where infants can crawl or roll. There is plenty of space for older children to run around without bumping into each other or furniture.
  • The learning environment has a variety of materials that reflect the children and families. There are photos, books, toys, and dolls at children’s eye level. People from your community are represented, including people of varying ages and abilities.

Try this!

The parent is the child’s most important teacher, and you are their “guide on the side.” Use these tips with families to help them create responsive learning environments.

  • Ask families how to make your learning space feel welcoming, calm, and soothing to their child. What do their children need to feel engaged and ready to learn?
  • Respect and incorporate families’ cultures into the systems and services provided. Learning from families is a great place to start! One way to learn about a family’s culture and values is to focus on their caregiving routines such as mealtimes and sleep.
  • Look at your space from children’s eye level. What do they see? Are there any adjustments you can make?
  • Create an “environment of yes” where everything children can access is safe and acceptable for them to explore. Work with families to do the same.
  • Arrange the environment to reach a balance of engaging (but not overwhelming) spaces. Are there bins or baskets to hold toys? Are there cozy spaces for quiet time? Help families think about this in their home environment.
  • Encourage physical movement in the space. Put out foam blocks and pillows: children can try jumping safely from these materials. Cut out paper circles and tape them to the floor: Children can sit or stand in place and move to music! Help families create safe physical challenges in their home.
  • Think like a scientist! Continue to observe children. Adjust the space as children grow and change over time.

Learn More

Connecting at Home

Learning environments are the nurturing spaces that support children’s development. This includes your home, outdoor spaces, and other areas your child visits each day. Responsive environments are tailored to meet each child’s developmental levels, needs, and interests. Here are some tips you can try.

Get Creative

Provide a variety of materials for your child to choose to play with. You don’t need to buy fancy or expensive toys. How can you play with common household items, like cooking pots and empty boxes? Can you make different sounds with items around the house?

Build a Cozy Space

Try not to have too many things out at once. Sometimes children can get overwhelmed. Look for cues that your child needs some quiet time. Do they seem shy? Are they fussing or pulling at their clothing? Try cozying up together with some comfy pillows and reading a book.

Add Safe Challenges

Children need opportunities to work on their motor skills throughout the day. This means activities like crawling, walking, or jumping. Add in fun and safe physical challenges to your home. Crawl through a tunnel of chairs! Dance to some music!

Let Them Lead

Find ways for children to do things on their own. Can they reach the sink to wash their hands? Can they access their favorite books or toys? Do they have eating utensils they can hold comfortably in their hand? This builds their physical, motor, and perceptual skills!

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Learning Environments