If your preschool is set up for infants and toddlers, have you ever considered what the best infant and toddler preschool space for them is? The environment is the most important thing for them as it has a powerful impact on them when it comes to learning and developing.
Without a proper infants and toddlers preschool space, the children will not be able to engage in activities, and they will have aggressive behavior. Besides that, if the area is not safe, the children will get hurt easily, especially at this young age when they are curious about the environment around them.
When you are creating the infants and toddlers preschool space, the environment must be able to support child-directed practices, exploration, curiosity, learning motivation, and the creation and maintenance of relationships between adults and children. We will discuss some tips you can consider while creating the infants and toddlers preschool space in this article to help you provide a better space for them.
Importance of the Infants And Toddlers Preschool Space
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The first few years in your children’s lives are the most formative in developing mind, body, and spirit. They need to sleep to nourish their emotional, physical, and sensory stimulation. When creating the infants and toddlers preschool space, it is important to give them secure surroundings and playthings to meet their needs and support their individual development.
Good space arrangement and available playthings can provide quality care to the children. The space should be welcoming and comfortable for the adults and children. A well-organized infants and toddlers preschool space allows the staff to have more time to stimulate and support interaction with the children.
What Is The Consideration When Designing Infants And Toddlers Preschool Space?
1. Ensure Toddlers Preschool Space Is Safety
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When designing the infant and toddlers preschool space, one of the most important considerations is to ensure the children’s health and safety. When you have a safe environment, infants and toddlers are allowed to explore freely. This helps to develop their sense of self. You have more time to interact with them instead of monitoring them the whole time. A healthy environment also decreases the chances of contracting and spreading illness.
There are many things to keep an eye on when designing the infant and toddler preschool space. You can consider using a checklist to help you keep track of what to keep an eye on. You can discuss with your staff what to watch in the space to ensure that the environment promotes health and safety.
Things that you want to take note of include ensuring that you separate the diapering and toileting areas from food. Keep all areas clean and ensure that the children and staff wash their hands regularly. Ensure the surfaces can be clean easily and suitable for the children to have their activities. You must consider that your preschool will need an efficient air exchange system and openable windows. This is because heat, light, ventilation, and acoustics greatly impact children’s health.
2. Design A Toddlers Preschool Space That Supports Positive Relationships
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It is important to let children develop a positive relationship with adults during their growth. When designing the infant and toddlers preschool space, setting up an environment that promotes a respectful relationship is important.
That are a few ways to promote relationship development through the environment. Consider the environment and what have you done to encourage relationships, and is it working? When designing the infant and toddlers preschool space, you can create an environment where you can interact with the infants and toddlers. Ensure that it is comfortable between you and infants and toddlers.
You can create an area where you can sit together with the infant and toddler. You can put the cushions on the floor or small tables for meals. You can be nearby them, and the infants and toddlers can explore the area themselves. You can even have a comfortable couch to hold the children on your lap and read books to them. If you have a bigger group, find ways to sit comfortably on the floor, and you can give more attention and interact with them.
3. Design Toddlers Preschool Space To Support Their Development
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When designing the infant and toddlers preschool space, it is important to support their development at this young age. You can allow them to move freely in a safe environment. When they move about, they can practice physical skills, develop their thinking skills and let them be independent. Let them crawl, walk and run in a safe environment.
Ensure the floors are clean and not slippery to allow the infants and toddlers to land when they fall. Prevent placing them in areas with restrictive devices such as high chairs and swings. Clear the pathways so that they can walk through the space easily. You can arrange the room with different things that they can explore.
When you are designing the space, it is important how you arrange the materials. You can display the materials at a level that the children can access easily. It allows the children to explore independently, and you can monitor them. Do not provide too many materials as it may be too overwhelming for the children. Try to rotate the materials regularly. It can help the children familiarize themselves with old and new materials and maintain their interest.
4. Design Toddlers Preschool Space Responsive to Their Individual Needs
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Each child has their own unique preferences, interest, and needs. When designing the infant and toddlers preschool space, it is important to meet their needs by adjusting the environment. For example, when a toddler has just started to crawl and starts to grab things to pull himself up to a standing position, there isn’t much place for him to pull himself up. You can consider taking something sturdy and movable to move them to various areas so that he can pull himself up.
Try to create a flexible environment so that you can meet each children’s needs. It doesn’t need to be complicated, but you will need to evaluate the environment to make appropriate changes. It will be an ongoing process as each child has different needs. You will need to find what is best for the child.
So when you are designing infants and toddlers preschool space, try to consider the above tips. Put the children’s needs first as preschool is another place where they go besides their home.
Speak with The Experts
Planning to get started at your kindergarten but have no idea about it?
Childcare Center Renovation Singapore is a reliable company for renovation and interior design. They have about ten years of experience in this field and have a good reputation among customers.
Call us now to get your desired kindergarten design ideas now!
