[Personal]

It is vital to have a welcoming, nurturing and organized environment that is inviting and promote learning. Children learn better in a clean, and well planned classroom.

[Personal]

A good learning center should have an organized, high quality, well plan and challenging classroom activities and areas that promote learning. It also should have a dedicated staff that observe and guide children as needed. It needs to have an established routine and schedule that allow children to feel comfortable and secure about what to expect.

[Meghan]

Places to allow for solo, parallel and social play

[Haley]

I think that there are so many components to create a good early learning environment. Overall, a clean, safe, nurturing space is key. It is also important to have all work reachable for the children and switching out works often to keep them inspired and engaged in the work they are doing.

[Jailee]

A good early learning environment is one that is welcoming and supportive for not only the children, but the parents and childcare providers. Where there is good communication, support, and there is a focus on safety. Children should feel excited to learn and know that they are safe and cared for in the environment.

[Caitlyn]

A safe, warm, welcoming environment that is centered around the needs and development of the children. Opportunities to be challenged, have options, take space, be connected and areas of exploration.

[Scion]

Are there any components of a good early learning environment that you think are especially important? Considering the fact that we’re working with early learning here, I think it’s very safe to say that each component of an early learning center is critical. I think another way to answer this question would be to see what can be lumped together or incorporated together, such as a the library and literacy/writing area sharing a space, or creative art, music, and dramatic play sharing a space. I answer this specific question the way I do because, again, I strongly believe that young children need to be exposed to as much edifying and integral parts of life as possible. So in turn, we should have as many interest centers available as possible in order to help shaped well-rounded individuals.

[Ella]

I think it’s important to have a room with a good flow and areas for loud play, quiet play, eating, and open space for reading and group activities

[Alyssa]

I think it is important to have a welcoming, nurturing environment that allows independence. Books, toys or activities being set out in station-like areas for children to show what their preference or interests may be. This environment will also allow early learning providers to follow children’s cues and better suit their individual needs.

[Amber]

I think that the most important party of a welcoming early learning environment is things that children have contributed to. For example, displaying children’s artwork on the walls, so they can feel as though they have helped to decorate their space.

[Kiley Kaye]

I think one of the most important components is a child-centered environment, where everything is their appropriate size. This allows them the greatest amount of independence; they can sweep up after themselves, or use a proportional chair to sit at a table that’s just their size, or pour water from one pitcher to another.

[Maya]

In Montessori it is important to meet the child of where they are. The classroom needs to be a prepared environment so the child can succeed in anything they do in the classroom. I think that is a good school you need to make sure that you are inviting and kind and respectful. You need to make sure that the child needs are being met as best as they can. You need to make sure that the parents are in communication with you and vice versa.

[melissa]

the classroom should feel welcoming with beautiful posters of children, centers that includes drawing, math, reading.

[maria]

The environment should be designed around the child. Everything in our classroom environment is for the child’s developmental needs and is open for the child to use daily. We have areas in the classroom like language, math, practical life, and sensorial. The child has freedom to choose heir own work within our classroom. This is empowering and liberating for the child.

[Kaitlyn]

Creating a safe, nurturing and positive environment for youth is so important. Having open arms and open hearts and willing to learn and understand our children to help allow them to reach their milestones is something we should all be implementing in our programs.