DI4004

Environment

Elements

Description including differences between infants and toddlers

Potential benefits and/or concerns related to fostering healthy toddler development and learning

Ideas for improvements or enhancements

Questions for the Host Teacher

Information from the Host Teacher

Safe & Healthy

· Nontoxic fertilizers

· No irritating or poisonous plants

· Proper cushioning/resilient surfaces under structures

· Proper fencing

· No standing water

· Covered sandboxes

· Well-maintained area and equipment

· Children can see adults, and adults can see children

· Outdoor first-aid kit

· No trampolines, teeter-totters, belt swings, single-chain tire swings, and enclosed tunnels

Comfortable, Cozy Areas

· Places to eat together and socialize

· Reading areas

Aesthetics and Natural Elements

· Tree stumps, boulders, long grass, water and pebbles, natural trees and shrubs, nonpoisonous flowering plants, and mounds/terraces/slopes

· Vegetable and flower gardens

· Time and places to enjoy natural sounds, smells, and light

· Wind chimes, wind socks, sculptures, and unique local outdoor art

Child-Sized Environment/Equipment

· Anchored play equipment – bucket swings, gently sloped slides, spring riders/rocking toys, balance beams, and sturdy ladders

· Peek-a-boo places; pushing and riding wheel toys, including tricycles and scooters

· Safe sand/water play with simple props

· Benches and other furniture for relaxing and thinking

· Manipulatives and loose parts, including fabric, rope, containers, PVC pipes, pine cones, wagons, plastic milk crates, and backpacks

Invites Play & Exploration

· Covered areas for play in heat, rain, and snow

· Space that encourages practicing balance and movement, jumping, crawling, running freely without walkers, swings, or exercisers

· Opportunities to use senses to explore a variety of sights, sounds, smells, materials, and surfaces

· Equipment that encourages up and down movement

· Gardening areas

· Building and constructing materials

· Dramatic play structure and props

· Art/messy area

· Sand/digging area

· Water play features – water table, sprinklers, and shallow running water/stream

· Grass mazes, obstacle courses, pathways for walking with visual and textural variations, and stepping stones

Adaptations and Considerations to Engage All Children

· Adaptations and modifications for individual children in the group

General: Is the environment:

· Well-organized – orderly, planned, and safe? Can children see and easily reach materials that are for them?

· Offering children opportunities for safe risk-taking and child-directed, independent choices and activities?

· Adult friendly - Is the environment designed to also support caregivers’ well-being, ease, and engagement?