The Room
In a HighScope infant-toddler program, the physical space is safe, flexible, and child-oriented to provide comfort and variety and to accommodate children's changing developmental needs and interests. Providing an active learning environment for infants and toddlers means considering their needs to look, listen, wiggle, roll, crawl, climb, rock, bounce, rest, eat, make noise, grasp or mouth or drop things, and be messy from time to time.
HighScope caregivers are trained to stock the setting with a wide variety of materials that infants and toddlers can reach, explore, and play with in their own way at their own pace. Materials appeal to children's senses and have varied properties (including wood, metal, and textured materials; found materials; natural materials; and so forth). The storage of materials is consistent, personalized, and accessible so that infants and toddlers can reach or get to the materials they see and want to explore.
► Infant-Toddler Play and Care Areas
• Eating and food preparation area
• Sleeping and napping area
• Bodily care area
• Infant indoor play area
• Toddler movement area
• Toddler sand-and-water area
• Toddler book area
• Toddler art area
• Toddler block area
• Toddler house area
• Outdoor play area
The space and materials are organized into play and care areas that serve the needs of infants and toddlers. For example, the toddler block area includes a good supply of small and large blocks for satisfying stacking and balancing experiences.
The care and play areas are distinct and organized with children's activities in mind. It is recommended that specialized areas with fixed purposes such as the diapering, block, eating, and napping areas be organized around the perimeter of the room with the middle space left open for active play and large muscle movement. Movable furnishings, equipment, and storage containers are recommended to accommodate multiple uses. There should be easy access to an outdoor play yard.
The physical environment, in short, is secure and inviting. Within its boundaries, infants and toddlers are free to move about, explore materials, exercise creativity, and solve problems.
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related training
2-Day Workshops
Arranging and Equipping the Environment in Infant-Toddler Child Care Settings (WK544)
View complete descriptions and current training available in our online training catalog»»
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