What are some recommendations for creating an aesthetically pleasing early childhood classroom? Give examples of what you might do to create a learning environment that you think would help children feel welcomed and motivated to learn.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Aesthetically pleasing classrooms should have the following elements: (1) soft, neutral colors; light colors are recommended for walls and ceilings where possible; (2) pleasing pictures and children's artwork on the walls. Artwork should be eye level; (3) incorporate natural objects and materials such as plants, stones, seeds, and shells; (4) avoid clutter and use storage effectively to keep the room organized. Rotate items and only display items in use, while other items can be stored away; and (5) label shelves and make sure they are in reaching distance for children. Shelves can be labeled with words or pictures to help children identify where materials go. Student answers will vary on the second half of the question. Examples for creating a welcoming and motivating environment might include using color schemes that are appealing and appropriate to the season. For example, if it’s winter time, then a good color scheme might be blues and whites to represent winter colors. Teachers might also include pictures of snow or other scenery or bring in some pine cones as way to incorporate more natural objects into the classroom. Another example is to ensure that all materials are easily assessable to children. Since it’s winter time, a teacher might put away all summer-related toys and materials and only have on display those materials that help children learn about the winter season.