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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