Relationships, Interactions, and Guidance:

Examine the Environments

Breadcrumb trail:

Environments play a significant role in the learning process.

The early childhood experience involves planning for a variety of environments. The physical environment may be the first one that comes to mind. But the social, intellectual, and emotional environments are equally important and critical to children's overall well being. Remember that the environment — in all of its aspects — is our partner in providing high quality early childhood programs.

A teacher observes a child arranging plates.

How do your routines and schedule impact the social and emotional environments? Are there aspects of your physical environment that seem to continually be the center of unwanted behaviors?

Try This!

Over the next two weeks, observe and document where and when unwanted behaviors occur. Study your observations.

Three children playing on the slide.
Three children playing on the slide.
A young girl chewing on a blanket.
A young girl chewing on a blanket.
A teacher holds a young boy in the sandbox.
A teacher holds a young boy in the sandbox.
  • What patterns did you notice?
  • Are your materials developmentally suited to the children in your care?
  • How can the physical cues in your environment be made clearer to the children?
  • How does your environment invite children to invest their time constructively?

Use this template to record your observations, thoughts, and feelings.  Download the Template

Deepen Your Understanding

California Early Childhood Educator Competencies

Deepen your understanding of the role of the environment in guiding children's behavior by reading the Topic: Strategies for supporting children's emotional development in Performance Area 1 in the CA ECE Competencies. Scroll to page 31.

Can you find other places in this competency area that address these questions?

Download the California ECE Competencies

California Early Childhood Educator Competencies