Preparing the Environment: a look at control and freedom in the classroom Deb NorrisJanuary 2, 2025
Special Topics:
Afterschool ,
Basic Specialized Care ,
Sponsor:
Anna Howes
Instructor:
Anna Howes Gebhardt
What makes a good learning environment? In this workshop we will take both a big picture view at learning environments and get close up to the small details of the classroom and teacher. Taking the perspective that children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and heard, we will look at how to set up learning through preparing the physical environment, the emotional environment, and the energetic environment (the “vibe" of the classroom).
Objectives
(1) Go beyond the traditional expectation of setting up the classroom’s physical space and stretch our imaginations and intentions to think about what we bring as educators to the emotional and energetic spaces children occupy.
(2) Evaluate what is in the educators control and use presence, focus, and attention to guide the creation of spaces and materials that promote feelings of safety, satisfaction, and critical thinking.
(3) Develop tools for evaluating the amount of independence and freedom children experience in learning environments and its proximity to competence and academic achievement.
(4) Practice skills for self-regulation with the goal of creating spaces that promote co-regulation.
Learning Outcomes
(1) Participants will learn and practice developmentally effective hands-on tools for creating learning environments that promote regulation, safety, joy, and creativity.
(2) Participants will leave with drafted classroom design ideas and easy to implement mindfulness practices.
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