Who doesn’t love that feeling after you have put in the effort for some spring cleaning!
It can be hard to get started but once you start the motivation builds as you feel that sense of freedom and renewal.
This is all part of how the Prepared Environment impacts children behind the scenes. When you are prepared, you can be more intentional about the materials and experiences you design for children. This means more interest, more engagement, more joy!
Start by opening the cupboards and closets. If you can, take everything out and inventory what you have. Is it damaged, missing pieces, old, and shabby? Discard it. Is it outdated, not culturally appropriate? Let it go.
Then begin organizing. Put like things together, label tubs and boxes so you can find what you need. And if things are dusty, give them a wipe down.
As you make a commitment to getting organized, gather your team and ask yourselves some questions to get started.
- Do you have a place to store materials in an organized way?
- Are like materials stored together so you can find what you need?
- Are the materials on the shelves easy for children to see, take out, and put away?
- Does the arrangement of materials support children’s learning and development of independence, self-regulation, and order?
- Is the space cluttered?
- Is there room for children to move freely?
This short video and the chapter on the Prepared Environment have great tips for bringing your classroom to a new place. The module on the Prepared Environment has even more great information on setting up spaces that work for you and work for the children.
Accessible, clearly defined spaces, uncluttered walls and shelves, and beautiful things to engage with make learning happen!
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