Presented by Dr. Sandra Duncan, Classroom Design Expert

Sponsored by Kaplan Early Learning Company

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Designing early childhood classrooms is complex. There are many aspects involved, such as the size and configuration of the room or the weird support post in the middle of the room. We often spend considerable energy figuring out how to squeeze required furnishings and materials into a relatively small space. Even more energy and time is expended when we turn our attention to the plethora of rules and regulations from licensing, quality rating assessments, accreditation, and safety and health authorities. Although it is necessary to address these issues, we often overlook the most important component of classroom design: the young child.

Young children are entering our classroom doors with ever-increasing social and emotional needs and with ever-growing needs to belong, feel secure, and be a part of a collaborative community. It’s time to erase our ideas about traditional classroom design. It’s time to let go of only thinking about the functionality of furniture (i.e., objects for storing, sitting, and dividing). It’s time to begin considering furniture as a strategy for enriching children’s lives and supporting their emotional well-being. Watch this edWebinar to learn ideas and ways to design heart-centered classrooms.

By the end of the presentation, viewerss will be able to:

• define the characteristics of heart-centered environments.
• describe the difference between the concept of space and place.
• explain the benefits of empathic design thinking and biophilic design thinking.
• list four essential beliefs of environmental design: nature-aligned; heart-centered; sensory-based; and authentically inspired.
• describe at least four ideas or strategies for creating heart-centered environments.

This recorded edWebinar will be of interest to preK teachers and directors.

About the Presenter

With 50+ years in the early care and education field, Dr. Sandra Duncan has extensive experience in publishing curricula and teacher resources, teaching at the university level, designing professional development programs, conducting community and outreach programs, and—most importantly—playing with young children. Sandra has written several books including Inspiring Spaces for Young Children; Rethinking the Classroom Landscape: Creating Environments that Connect Young Children, Families, and Communities; Bringing the Outside In: Ideas for Creating Nature-Based Classroom Experiences for Young Children; and Through a Child’s Eyes: How Classroom Design Inspires Learning & Wonder. Sandra believes in the importance of classroom design and its impact on children’s growth and development. She brings her years of theory and best practices to the early childhood classroom in helping early childhood educators create environments where young children can thrive and become their very best.

Join the Classroom Management for Early Learning community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

Kaplan Early Learning Company is a leading international provider of products and services that enhance children’s learning.