Learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all young children. They include classrooms, play spaces, areas for caregiving routines, and outdoor areas. Learning environments are well-organized and managed settings. They offer developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor chances for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation. Learning environments include age-appropriate equipment, materials, and supplies. They integrate home cultures and are flexible to support the changing ages, interests, and characteristics of a group of children over time. In home-based programs, the learning environment includes the home, community, and group socialization spaces.
Learning Environments That Promote Positive Behavior
Join us as we explore ways to create learning environments, routines, and activities that engage and promote children's learning and positive behaviors.
Creating Home Learning Environments Where Children Thrive
Explore strategies and resources focused on creating home environments that encourage growth, learning, and exploration and promote positive behaviors.
Growing Physical Skills Through Outdoor Learning and Play
Outdoor play boosts children’s health and wellness and supports their learning and development. Learn how the outdoors provide a wonderful environment for growing preschoolers’ physical skills.
Addressing Challenges in Family Child Care Environments
Address some of the challenges in family child care settings, such as defining engaging learning areas in small spaces. Learn how making small environmental changes support children’s learning and development.
Meaningful Makeover
Designed for family child care providers, Meaningful Makeover offers tips, visuals, and inexpensive solutions that transform environments. Each episode highlights simple improvements that are easy to make.
Outdoor Learning Environments for Preschool-aged Children
Spending time outdoors supports children's physical and mental well-being. This webinar explores how adults can use outdoor environments as a tool for supporting children’s learning and development.
Initiative, Creativity, Curiosity
In this Parallel Play episode, learn how to support toddlers as they engage in experiments, problem solve, and exercise their imagination. This is how they make sense of the world around them.
Overcoming Challenges in the Family Child Care Setting
Watch the Meaningful Makeover crew work with family child care providers to provide safe learning environments for mixed-aged groups. Create environments that promote children’s social and emotional development.
Creating Playful Learning Environments for Infants and Toddlers
Play is more than fun; it supports infant and toddler learning across domains. Discover strategies for effectively managing and scaffolding play and creating play-friendly activities and environments.