Children and Physical Space

Children are naturally messy, creative and unique individuals. Most of the decisions we make as teachers reflect our teaching philosophies and values. And sometimes classrooms looks the same, when each classroom, each year represents new learners, with new minds, and each learners differently than the other. Every, single, one of them. The original intent  schools, in the industrial period was to prepare students for the factory and the industrial workforce. The schools then reflected that. Today you may find there are more colorful guides/decorations for students on the walls, but the structural set up is sometimes strikingly similar. We know that kids need structure, but at what point does this type of environment hinder our students to learn to the best of each of their abilities? In many cases the physical structure of the classrooms in our public (and many private schools) today, does not adhere to this (not so new) idea.

How could we expect students to rise to a new way of learning, including growth mindset, when they still see the same thing every day in their classrooms? At Bright Beginnings when we teach our students we move through different disciplines and connect them as we go. For example, we might be embarking on a water unit and incorporate science, math, art and maybe even history! When you walk into our classrooms you will see children engaged in a variety of activities that are all connected to our creative curriculum.

If you are curious or simply want to know more, ask your child’s teacher, or the site’s director! The physical space in the classroom is designed around the curriculum and may reflect some of the buzzwords you see in the first image. For example, if the teacher interprets the curriculum as collaborative, you might find some group spaces where children can work together and learn. Whatever the case, each classroom has goals that the teacher wants the classroom community to reflect and implements them in a variety of ways, one of which is the physical space. It is important for us to have creative spaces for children in order to facilitate an academically and emotionally safe environment where students feel comfortable experimenting, making mistake and therefore ultimately learning to their fullest potential.