Setting up a classroom for success
Setting up a classroom environment to meet the unique needs of every child in your classroom is vital
to foster positive creative growth and development and support the social and emotional wellbeing of your student community. In my future classroom, I plan to create an environment based on universal design so each of my students feel safe, comfortable, and welcomed. In my opinion, children’s optimal learning experiences take place in an environment where they feel nurtured and the classroom setting serves as the
“third” teacher. For a child with diverse needs and on the Autism Spectrum, comfortably often comes with routine, sensory experiences, and divergent materials to explore and manipulate. In the article, “Helping Children Play and Learn Together” written by Michalene Ostrosky and Hedda Meadan, describes positive ways to facilitate constructive peer interactions in play by setting up a classroom environment that facilitates social skill building. I found the article on the National Association for the Education of Young Children and believe the journal writing offers insightful tips for enhancing socialization skills for early childhood learners in the classroom setting. The authors note (2010), by carefully arranging the classroom environment, focusing on the children’s skills and strengths, modeling, and regularly celebrating these strengths within early
childhood settings can help promote peer interaction among all children (p.108).
Ostrosky, M. & Meadan, H. (2010). Helping children play and learn together. Young Children (Jan), 104-109.
to foster positive creative growth and development and support the social and emotional wellbeing of your student community. In my future classroom, I plan to create an environment based on universal design so each of my students feel safe, comfortable, and welcomed. In my opinion, children’s optimal learning experiences take place in an environment where they feel nurtured and the classroom setting serves as the
“third” teacher. For a child with diverse needs and on the Autism Spectrum, comfortably often comes with routine, sensory experiences, and divergent materials to explore and manipulate. In the article, “Helping Children Play and Learn Together” written by Michalene Ostrosky and Hedda Meadan, describes positive ways to facilitate constructive peer interactions in play by setting up a classroom environment that facilitates social skill building. I found the article on the National Association for the Education of Young Children and believe the journal writing offers insightful tips for enhancing socialization skills for early childhood learners in the classroom setting. The authors note (2010), by carefully arranging the classroom environment, focusing on the children’s skills and strengths, modeling, and regularly celebrating these strengths within early
childhood settings can help promote peer interaction among all children (p.108).
Ostrosky, M. & Meadan, H. (2010). Helping children play and learn together. Young Children (Jan), 104-109.
helping_children_play_and_learn_together.pdf | |
File Size: | 589 kb |
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early childhood classroom
By carefully designing a classroom environment and schedule that allows children to freely explore learning centers filled with natural, divergent materials can promote play learning experiences. Notice the children's artwork and signs at the child's level and the child's sized furniture and materials. The area is not cluttered and the teachers are either engaging with the students or observing.
The article, “Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder:Strategies That Work” written by Clarissa Willis, also expresses helpful suggestions to integrate students with diverse needs and on the autism spectrum into an inclusive classroom environment.
Willis, C. (2009). Young children with autism spectrum disorder: Strategies that work. Young Children (Jan), 81-89.
willis_c._autism_spectrum_disorder.pdf | |
File Size: | 600 kb |
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Helpful tips for educators
Children with autism function best when they have:
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- Structure and a predicable routine
- Environments that do not
distract - Verbal reminders of what will happen
next - Picture Schedules
- In play centers, teachers can set up activities that encourage social interaction and require two people. Using preferred objects in the play center can also be a tool of motivation for the early learner on the spectrum.
- Sensory Processing Integration affects a vast majority of children diagnosed with Autism. Introduce new materials in a box or in a non distressing manner.
- Create a special place in the classroom for students with diverse needs to go without distraction and without sensory input. This should be a quiet space that provides soft, indirect lighting, comfortable cushion, and an activity the child enjoys. This quiet center should be used routinely and a space where the child feels safe and secure.
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