Physical Environment When creating a safe and educational physical environment, keep the following criteria in mind. Physical Environment The indoor and outdoor environments are safe, clean, attractive, and spacious. Activity areas are defined clearly by spatial arrangement. Space is arranged so that children can work individually, together in small groups, or in a large group. Space is arranged to provide clear pathways for children to move from one area to another and to minimize distractions. The space for toddlers and preschool children is arranged to facilitate a variety of small group and/or individual activities, including block building, social, dramatic play, art, music, science, math, manipulative, and quiet book reading. Other activities such as sand/water play and woodworking also are available on occasion. Carpeted space as well as hard surfaces such as wood floors and ample crawling/toddling areas are provided for infants and non-walkers. Sturdy furniture is provided so non-walkers can pull themselves up or balance themselves while walking. School-age children are provided separate spaces arranged to facilitate a variety of age-appropriate activities and permit sustained work on projects. Age-appropriate materials and equipment of sufficient quantity, variety, and durability are readily accessible to children and arranged on low, open shelves to promote independent use by children. Materials are rotated and adapted to maintain children's interest. Individual spaces for children to hang their clothing and store their personal belongings are provided. Private areas are available indoors and outdoors for children to have solitude. The environment includes soft elements such as rugs, cushions, or rocking chairs. Sound-absorbing materials are used to cut down on excessive noise. The outdoor area includes a variety of surfaces, such as soil, sand, grass, hills, flat sections, and hard areas for wheel toys. The outdoor area includes shade; open space; digging space; and a variety of equipment for riding, climbing, balancing, and individual play. The outdoor area is protected by fences or natural barriers from access to streets or other dangers. Block Center a complete set of unit blocks. You can choose wooden, cardboard, plastic, or foam blocks. Each set has pros and cons. Choose what is best for your group of children. large and small vehicles animals, people, and traffic signs recyclables such as cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes, and oatmeal containers design plans that can be donated by a parent who is an architect or engineer Dramatic Play Center dramatic play furniture (materials available depending on the current theme) dishes, utensils, placemats, pots, pans, food sets telephones, computer keyboards, old typewriters dress up clothes, purses, wallets, shoes menus, a cash register paper and pencils Writing Center children's journals pens, pencils colored pencils crayons, markers various paper supplies index cards recycled magazines (that have been reviewed), menus, books, newspapers clipboards and notebooks magnetic letters; and examples of print, including sentence strips with the children's names on them, properly labeled items, and alphabet strips Creativity and Art Center painting supplies, pencils, crayons, markers, and easels recyclables such as wallpaper samples, fabric pieces, and collage materials glue and scissors various paper supplies Reading and Listening Center children's literature (with the current theme-related literature) magazines, newspapers song and poem charts an audiocassette or CD player, headphones, stories recorded on tape, and/or other tape-recorded songs stories and poems soft elements such as rugs, pillows, and beanbags Math and Manipulative Center calendar, weather, and number charts magnetic numbers, puzzles, games, and flashcards safe manipulative for sorting (large buttons, stamps, stickers, etc.) paper, pencils, notebooks, index cards measuring cups and spoons, cookie cutters in varying shapes, and other materials used to weigh and measure Science and Sensory Center sand and/or water table Wonder Bottles (recycled water bottles with water and oil mixed together with small shells, rocks, sand, food coloring, etc.) magnets and magnetic items feathers, leaves, and other items from nature magnifying glasses and mirrors Circle Time Wall Morning Message - models handwriting How Are You Today? - real photographs of children that show five different emotions Weather Wear - dress magnetic photographs of children using a variety of weather-appropriate items Daily Schedule - hands-on charting experience that describes what's planned for the day Kids of Character - features the character trait of the month