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Learning
Environment
Project
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Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Toddler Setting 4
Preschool Setting 6
Learning Centers 8
Learning Center Signs 15
Primary Setting 21
Outdoor Setting 24
Reflections 27
References 29
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Introduction
The purpose of this project is to help preservice teachers understand the process behind
designing learning environments for the different ages which early childhood teachers could
potentially teach.
We were asked to create a learning environment for an infant or toddler setting,
preschool, primary grades, and an outdoor environment. We then had to explain our rationale
behind the way we designed our classrooms and the materials we chose to include in the
classrooms.
We decided to go into detail about the centers in our preschool learning environment
since this is an age group that we both have worked with extensively. We created six centers:
ABC center, art center, blocks center, discovery play center, dramatic play center, and
library/books center. There are lists of all of the materials that would be included in each of
those centers.
The outdoor environment has several different features so that it is inviting and accessible
to students of all abilities. There are areas that are low to the ground and some that require
climbing. We designed the outdoor environment with a preschool to kindergarten age group in
mind.
At the end of project, we each took time to reflect on the process and the collaborative
aspects of this project. This project helped us learn and grow professionally as preservice
teachers.
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Toddler Setting
Our toddler room is designed for ten children. The classroom consists of various centers
and is play based to promote development of cognitive, physical, social and emotional,
linguistic, and adaptive development. The environment is heavily focused on physical
development, which is why we chose to include equipment such as a comfy slide, a
crawl-through log, and a climber. These pieces promote the development of gross motor skills.
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For cognitive development, we chose to include a book center. Introduction of books at
this young age allows children to become familiar with how to handle books. While they cannot
yet read or describe the pictures, they are still processing the visual pictures. The book center
consists of a storage unit for the books, as well as a sitting area for the children and the teacher
so he/she can sit and read to the students. The light table also serves cognitive development
because it allows children to explore. The dramatic play area is made up of a kitchen and puppet
theater. The kitchen allows the children to begin to use language to communicate and their
imagination to play out scenarios.
Other aspects of the classroom include storage units and a designated area for handling
the tasks that address the needs of the children. In this area, cubbies and a changing table are
included. Cubbies are utilized so the students have a place for their belongs. The changing table
contains storage shelves for diapers and other materials. Stairs are included so that the child can
climb up and the sink is there in case of messes and to wash hands. Storage is another important
aspect of our room. Multiple storage units are set up around the classroom to store needed
materials. The dramatic play area and book center materials are also organized into storage units
for easy access. Another storage unit holds the cots utilized during nap time.
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Preschool Setting
Our preschool classroom is a welcoming and enjoyable environment that promotes
learning and development. Preschool is designed for, three, four, and five year olds, so when
creating their learning space, we had to ensure we were keeping the developmental needs of each
age group in mind. Our layout and equipment encourages children to explore and guide their
individual learning through various centers. The centers presents children with options and
allows them to make a choice.
To promote physical, cognitive, social/emotional, communication and language
development, we included seven developmentally appropriate centers that incorporate multiple
developmental domains. Including a block center promotes the children’s physical development,
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cognitive skills, language development, and social and emotional skills. We chose to include
seven learning centers: ABC center, art center, block center, dramatic play center, reading center,
discovery center, and technology center. We choose to include these centers because they
incorporate multiple domains simultaneously supporting development.
The placement of the block center is the middle of the classroom. Sectioned off by the
shelves for block storage, the area provides ample space to allow room for building structures. A
block center promotes physical development sharpening gross and fine motor tasks, like stacking
and building structures which requires balance and hand eye coordination. Cognitively, the
construction of structures involves the use and understanding of multiple mathematical concepts
such as size, shape, number, order, area, length, and pattern. Language development comes from
the children’s descriptions of their buildings. Children building a structure in a group setting,
learn to communicate their thoughts. New vocabulary can be introduced and carried into the
center for use (The Block Center in Child Care, 2015). Social and emotional development occurs
when children begin working with each other. They learn to negotiate with one another and share
ideas involved in building a structure. Children also begin to understand and accept the ideas and
thoughts of their peers.
Tactile centers such as sand and water and art allow children to explore and create. They
are placed away from the carpet for easy clean-up. A sink also stands nearby in case a mess
occurs. The sand and water center supports cognitive development through the investigation of
math and science concepts of sinking and floating and measurement. Physically, children work
their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills to scoop, pour, funnel, and sift (The Sand and
Water Center in Child Care, 2015).
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The dramatic play center includes a kitchen, market, housekeeping supplies, and dress up.
This center invites children to take on the roles they see in their daily lives. Cognitively, children
explore real life scenarios and “...attempt to make sense of them in the context of their own lives,
they practice problem-solving skills and build new knowledge” (Miller, 2010). Physically,
children are working their fine and gross motor skills by manipulating the placement of contents
such as dolls, clothes, cradles, and tables and chairs (Miller, 2015). Overall, dramatic play allows
children to act out their feelings about a situation that is troubling to them or they can create their
own personalities. Dramatic play is open-ended and allows room for creativity.
Even though this is a preschool setting, a reading and listening center offers students an
introduction to language arts. Introducing children to materials that promote reading, writing,
listening, and speaking will lay a foundation for that skills that will be needed in future grades.
According to Caroline Ross Tomlin, “children who master these skills develop a relationship
between oral language and written symbols” (2008).
The classroom itself consists of a variety of resources that are pertinent and helpful to the
overall function of the environment. Cubbies serve as a storage for the children’s belongings.
Assigning an individual cubby to each student gives them their own storage space to help keep
track of their possessions. Storage is also available for the materials at each center. Having a
place for materials allows children to access them easily instead of having to gather them. A
bathroom is also included in the classroom. Rather than having to transition the children in and
out of the classroom to use the restroom. It is a standard size bathroom with a sink, toilet, and
trashcan.
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Learning Centers
These lists are not exhaustive, they are meant to cover the items that would be the main focus.
The items should be rotated in and out throughout the year and more items can be added to fit the
current unit.
ABC Center
Item Developmental Area Quantity Price
Magic Board Printing Language; physical 1 $26.99
Practice Cards (fine motor)
Lakeshore Magic Language; physical Set of 10 $99.50
Boards (fine motor)
Lakeshore Alphabet Language 1 $59.99
Theme Box
Lakeshore Alpha-bots Language Set of 26 $29.99
Trace & Write Language; physical 1 $34.99
Alphabet Center (fine motor)
Kaplan Writing Language 1 $409.95
Center
Kaplan K’Motion Physical 4 $423.80
Stool
Total: $1,085.21
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Dramatic Play Center
Item Developmental Area Quantity Price
Kaplan Carolina Language; Social and 1 $249.95
Market emotional
Kaplan Premium Language; Social and 1 $1,299.95
Solid Maple Kitchen emotional
Go Green Market Set Social and emotional 1 $45.95
Housekeeping Set Social and emotional; 1 $139.95
with Accessories Physical; Language
Kaplan Mobile Dress Social and emotional; 1 $209.95
Up Center Adaptive
Kaplan Classic Adaptive; Physical 1 $279.95
Laundry Center
Kaplan My First Language; Social and 1 $149.95
Dollhouse emotional
Kaplan Natural Doll Language; Social and 1 $63.95
Highchair emotional
Kaplan Natural Doll Language; Social and 1 $89.95
Cradle emotional
Kaplan Shopping Social and emotional; 1 $32.95
Cart physical
Kaplan When I Grow Social and emotional; 1 $79.95
Up Career Set (dress Adaptive
up clothes)
Kaplan 11” Soft Social and emotional 1 $58.95
Body Baby Dolls
Kaplan Healthy Cognitive; Social and 1 $69.95
Choices Play Food emotional
Kaplan Lil’ Chef’s Cognitive; Social and 1 $29.95
Kitchen Set emotional
Total: $2,800.6
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Block Center
Item Developmental Area Quantity Price
Kaplan Carolina Physical; language; 1 $399.95
Block Storage cognitive;
Organizer social/emotional
Kaplan Unit Blocks - Physical; language; 1 $499.95
Basic Classroom Set cognitive;
(200 pieces) social/emotional
Kaplan Wooden Physical; language; 1 $25.95
Vehicle and Traffic cognitive;
Signs (set of 15) social/emotional
Kaplan Friends and Physical; language; 1 $49.95
Family Set (set of 10) cognitive;
social/emotional
Kaplan North Physical; language; 1 $36.95
American Wildlife cognitive;
(set of 13) social/emotional
Kaplan Animals on Physical; language; 1 $45.95
the Farm Set (set of cognitive;
12) social/emotional
Kaplan Cruisin’ Physical; language; 1 $139.95
Around the Town cognitive;
Carpet social/emotional
Total: $1,198.30
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Art Center
Item Developmental Area Quantity Price
Kaplan Carolina 1 $454.95
Multi-Section Storage
Unit
Kaplan Three-Way Cognitive; physical; 2 $339.90
Easel language
Fiskars® Scissors Physical 2 (set of 12) $83.90
Classroom Pack
Kaplan Large Physical; cognitive 1 (400 Per Box) $39.95
Crayons Class Pack
Kaplan Broad Tip Physical; cognitive 1 (200 Per Box) $59.95
Marker Class Pack
SunWorks 1 (700 Sheets) $13.95
Construction Paper
Assorted Pack
Kaplan Easy Squeeze 1 (Set of 48) $12.95
Glue Tubes
Kaplan Art Start Kit Cognitive; 2 $65.90
social/emotional
Kaplan Kolors 1 (Set of 8) $99.95
Washable Tempera
Paint Gallon
Assortment
Kaplan Non-Spill Physical 2 (set of 10) $43.90
Paint Pots & Brushes
Kaplan Preschool Art 1 (set of 4) $29.95
Apron
Total: $1,244.90
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Discovery Play Center
Item Developmental Area Quantity Price
Kaplan Pass Through 1 $269.95
Shelf Plus
Kaplan Science Cognitive; language 1 $359.95
Exploration Table
Kaplan Carolina 1 $279.95
3-Shelf Storage
Kaplan Double Tray Physical; Social and 1 $274.95
Sand and Water emotional; language
Table
Kaplan Engage-2 Cognitive; language; 1 $4,995.95
(multi-touch tablet social and emotional
table)
Kaplan Jumbo Cognitive 1 $39.95
Magnifying Glasses
with Stand
Kaplan Sand & Water Physical; social and 1 $32.95
Play Set emotional
Kaplan Colorful Social and emotional 1 (10 lb bag) $44.95
Kidfetti
Total: $6,298.20
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Book/Reading Center
Item Developmental Area Quantity Price
Kaplan Shape A Cognitive; language; 1 $789.95
Space Reading Arch social and emotional
Carolina Line Large Cognitive; language 1 $189.95
5-Shelf Book Display
Library Starter Set Cognitive; language 1 (Set of 13) $142.95
Kaplan Enviro-Child Cognitive; language 1 (Set of sofa and $469.95
Seating Sets chair)
Kaplan Emotions Cognitive; language 1 (Set of 6) $119.95
Floor Cushions
Total: $1,712.50
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Learning Center Signs
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Primary Setting
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In our primary classroom, we created an environment that begins to challenge out
students. The centers promote independent and self-guided learning. The physical layout of the
classroom is becoming more structured and less play-centered. Using tables creates a more
structured environment where the children can begin learning the in’s and out’s of classroom
rules and expectations.
The centers themselves are more planned than the other settings. In the book center, the
children are expected to be able to do independent reading. More book racks and comfortable
seating are available for the students to be able to read for understanding. The writing center
offers materials for the students to write short story pieces. In kindergarten, the children should
have mastered writing their names. In the primary setting, the students should begin to write
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short pieces using a variety of writing utensils, such as pens, pencils, and markers. Including an
interactive whiteboard allows the students to become a part of their learning. They can
participate in interactive lessons that promotes cognitive development and targets their different
learning styles. A stage is a also set up in a corner of the classroom so that the children can also
promote their social/emotional, cognitive, and physical development by acting out stories or
plays.
The classroom bathroom is a necessity for easier transitions to and from the bathroom.
The cubbies give the children their own space for their belongings. The teacher’s desk is limited
to a computer on top of a storage unit for other center or one-on-one supplies. A teacher desk
would be too big and take up the space of needed center space. In this manner, rather than be
limited to their desk, the teacher can interact at the various centers with the students.
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Outdoor Setting
For the outdoor environment we chose to include items that would not only promote
physical development, but also promote language and social/emotional development.
The playground itself has a storefront window which engages children in conversations
and pretend play. There is a bench where children can take a break if they need one which is an
aspect of social and emotional development. There is also a driving panel which promotes
pretend play. This playground has a lot to offer to children of all ages and abilities.
The DoodleBug on Springs encourages communication between children. This also
develops social/emotional skills by encouraging children to engage in pretend play and dramatic
play themes.
The Extra Long Crawl Tunnel and the Outdoor Playground Wall works on gross motor
skills. Children engage their legs, arms, and core muscles in order to crawl through the tunnel or
climb the rock wall. There are also plenty of opportunities for social interactions, the playground
wall has two sides and lots of climbing space and the crawl tunnel offers lots of windows.
The balance beam works on the coordination and balance aspects of physical
development. The balance beam is low enough to the ground that if a child falls off they will not
injure themselves but high enough to still work on balance.
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Item Picture Description
Bigtime Playworld This playground has three
slides, a rock wall climber, a
cargo net climber, a store
front panel, a bench, and a
driving panel.
DoodleBug on Springs The DoodleBug offers four
steering wheels and bench
seating for children. The
bench moves around as the
children move.
Extra Long Crawl Tunnel The Extra Long Crawl Tunnel
is twice as long as a normal
tunnel and offers lots of
windows to stop and look
around.
Jammin’ Drum Line The Jammin’ Drum Line
offers three types of drums
for children to make music.
This is at ground level so it is
accessible to all children.
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Ergo-Eco Bench for Adults The Ergo-Eco Bench offers a
and Children place to take a break with
great seating support. This
bench comes in child and
adult sizes.
Balance Beams Portable Balance Beams can
be single or as a set of three
for children to practice
balance and coordination.
Little Gardeners Garden Box The Garden Box offers easy
with Bench access to gardening space and
then benches offer a place to
sit.
BrightDay Storage Shed The BrightDay Storage Shed
stores all of the playground
Outdoor Playground Wall The Outdoor Playground
Wall offers 192 feet of rock
climbing space.
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Reflections
Grecia:
Having the opportunity to design our own classrooms was enjoyable, yet stressful.
Everything in the catalogs appeared appealing, but with limited space, it was difficult at times to
decide what was needed and what was not. I based my decisions off of the developmental
appropriateness of the materials. As teachers, I think it is critical that we only bring in materials
that will benefit our students. While we may want to create a fun environment, it is also
important that we are working towards meeting developmental milestones for our early
childhood ages.
Working with Taylor was an enjoyable experience. I realize that at times I may need
further explanation of something just so I know I am on the same page as my partner. Taylor
never had a problem with her repeating herself. Establishing an understanding partnership
worked to our advantage because it allowed us to work more proficiently. We listened to each
other’s ideas and offered feedback if needed. There was not as much defined division of the
work. I feel as though we both took over the parts we felt the most comfortable with. Along the
process, we made sure to share our thoughts with each other before going ahead and making
decisions. Overall, I think we were successful because of our communication with one another.
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Taylor:
I really enjoyed this project, I found it to be a very eye opening experience as well. I had
no idea quite how expensive classroom furniture was, and how extremely expensive playground
equipment is. I learned that you have to be very purposeful with everything that you place in a
classroom because while we could just make the walls bigger on the design software, in a real
classroom the walls are set. There was simply not enough space for everything that we wanted
to include in our classroom.
The collaboration aspect of this project went really well. Grecia and I worked really well
together and constantly made sure we were on the same page. I look at more of the small details
while she looked at the big picture more so we really balanced each other. I feel like we have
similar styles and ideas of what we want in a classroom and we brought different prior classroom
experiences to the project so we had a lot of examples to go off of. I am very happy with the
way that our final product turned out and I am thankful for the opportunity to work with Grecia.
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References
www.lakeshorelearning.com
www. kaplanco.com
www.pwap.com
eXtension. (2015). Planning a successful block center in childcare. Retrieved from
http://articles.extension.org/pages/67333/planning-a-successful-block-center-in-child-car
eXtension. (2015). The sand and water center in child care. Retrieved from
http://articles.extension.org/pages/70998/the-sand-and-water-center-in-child-care
Miller, L., G. (2010). Dramatic play: A daily requirement for children. Earlychildhood News.
Retrieved from
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=263
Tomlin, C. (2008). Learning centers create exceptional learning environments. Earlychildhood
News. Retrieved from
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=426
