As educators, we have one important task – to create stimulating play spaces for children. Environments that promote engagement, active learning, and constructive play, that are safe, but also beautiful. But what if you are like me – have no spatial thinking or designer’s streak? What if you are not good at decorating or setting up the stage? Maybe you are more of a people person or prefer to express yourself in dancing or words. Don’t worry, knowing the basic principles of design can help to design your first environment—one indoor and one outdoor—that invites exploration and creativity while supporting the developmental needs of young children. All you need to know – the basic areas to include and you will be surprised that inspirations can be all around you – in the city or even your suburb.
Indoor Play-Based Learning Environment
Let’s start with an indoor environment for 3-5 years old. Our goal is to design an indoor environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity, art appreciation, and cognitive development through hands-on exploration. This space embraces the Reggio Emilia approach, focusing on natural materials and open-ended resources.
Art Studio
- A dedicated art studio featuring child-sized easels, a variety of paints, and drawing materials.
- Educational Value: Encourages self-expression, art appreciation, and fine motor skills development.
- Resources:
- Connection to Theory: Supports Vygotsky’s social development theory, emphasising collaborative creativity and process art experiences.
Sensory Exploration Area
- Description: Includes sensory tables with sand, water, and natural items like leaves and pinecones.
- Educational Value: Promotes sensory integration and tactile exploration.
- Connection to Theory: Reflects Ayres’ sensory integration theory, enhancing sensory processing abilities
Reading nook
Description: A cosy corner with a variety of books and soft cushions.
Educational Value: Fosters language development and a love for reading.
Connection to Theory: Aligns with Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, Vygotsky – supporting imaginative play.
Constructive Play Area
Description: Equipped with building blocks, wooden blocks, loose parts LEGO, and other construction materials.
Educational Value: Enhances problem-solving skills and spatial awareness.
Connection to Theory: Encourages logical thinking and creativity as per the Montessori method.
The floor plan features a well-organised layout, ensuring easy movement and accessibility. The art studio is located near large windows for natural light, the sensory area is centrally placed for easy supervision, and the reading nook is tucked into a quiet corner.
Outdoor Play-Based Learning Environment
Objective: The outdoor environment is designed to foster physical development, environmental stewardship, and imaginative play, inspired by Forest School principles and posthumanism theory (childhoodnature).
Adventure Playground
- Description: Includes climbing frames, balance beams, and a treehouse.
- Educational Value: Encourages physical activity and risk-taking.
- Connection to Theory: Supports Louv’s advocacy for nature play, promoting resilience and confidence.
Mud Kitchen
- Description: A creative play area with pots, pans, and natural ingredients.
- Educational Value: Stimulates imaginative play and fine motor skills.
- Connection to Theory: Aligns with the Reggio Emilia approach, fostering exploratory learning.
Herb Garden
- Description: A garden where children can plant and tend to herbs.
- Educational Value: Teaches responsibility and an understanding of nature.
- Connection to Theory: Reflects the Montessori method’s emphasis on practical life skills.
Water Play Area
- Description: Features water tables, funnels, and containers for splashing and pouring.
- Educational Value: Develops fine motor skills and understanding of water properties, STEM.
- Connection to Theory: Encourages sensory exploration – Piaget; practical play by Groos, Maria Montessori, posthumanism
The outdoor layout integrates various zones—physical play, creative play, and nature exploration—ensuring a diverse range of activities. The adventure playground is centrally located for visibility, the mud kitchen and herb garden are adjacent to promote cross-activity play, and the water play area is in a shaded section to protect children from the sun.
So… start collecting photos while on the walk to implement some of these wonderful ideas in your family day care or early childhood centre!
For more insights into designing enriching play environments, check out the following books by DeViney, Casey (2010), Curtis & Carter (2008), and Rosback and Coulson (2015). Happy designing!
