The Importance in Creating a Calm Environment for Young Children

The choices a teacher makes in his/her classroom send a message. "The environment contributes to setting the tone of the school day for both the children and the teacher. An organized, attractive, clean and warm setting results in more positive behaviors and attitudes." (Eliason&Jenkins, 34) Visual presentation of artwork, posters and lessons for learning easily fill preschool and primary school classroom walls becoming a busy collection of colors and images. Clutter in young children's school environments is common and for many students may not be an issue. But, for some students the visual chaos, particularly on the walls, truly affects their learning and overall success. For some students these busy walls simply add to the activity and disorder they are experiencing inside their bodies and minds.

Children Who are Affected by Busy Walls and Clutter

We are not all the same. Some people love things around them and are not bothered by many items in their vision, colors and shapes bombarding their sensory input. But for others, such as children under the autistic spectrum, those diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, FAS or even students with dyslexia, a busy and cluttered room may be difficult to handle, and possibly contribute to sensory overload. It adds to their daily struggle in such things as being organized, the ability to concentrate, and in keeping their bodies calm and still. A room that is buzzing with visual stimulation may create unwanted behavior in the classroom and away from the child's learning process.

Scanning The Classroom

A teacher should try and imagine what it is like to be the student, perhaps sit in a chair and scan his/her eyes around the entire classroom. Another idea is to ask other adults how they feel when viewing the walls. When assessing his/her room, the teacher could ask himself/herself, "Is there any organization? Are there items that could be tucked away into boxes to make this space visually less cluttered? Are there posters that could be taken down for awhile? What is the purpose of each item on these walls? Even without the sound of the children, could these walls contribute to sensory overload? How do I feel in this room?" When the evaluation is made, then changes can occur.

Tips on Setting Up a De-Cluttered Walls and Space

Placing items on the wall or boards should be given proper consideration in how it affects the space. It is crucial that young children feel pride in their environment as they view their work on the wall. Teachers need to have relevant lessons in children's view for learning. Yet, at the same time, some steps can be considered when displaying pieces to help create a more soothing and pleasing presentation. There are many articles providing tips on how to decorate a bulletin board, here are some more things to consider when decorating a classroom:

• keep some wall space completely free of items
• choose an organized technique when displaying art with equal spaces in between to help create a visual flow
• avoid hanging artwork from the ceiling
• current items on walls should be relevant to the season and topics
• sometimes less is more
• consider paint on walls and choose a soothing background color
• when displaying the student's artwork, select pieces that are less busy and have similar patterns, for instance, handprints versus finger painting
• store away papers, books and such in closed compartments to limit visual clutter
• pick adjectives to describe your ideal room and try making the environment match those words

An organized, de-cluttered, calming and welcoming room is not only going to help the children with sensory and behavioral challenges, but the rest of the classroom and the teacher will benefit from this space as well.

Source: Eliason and Jenkins, A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum, 6th Ed., United States: Merill Publishing, 1999.

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Valentine's Panda Bear Craft

Valentine's Panda Bear Craft

Traditionally, Valentine preschool crafts involve red and pink hearts. For variation, this activity involves different shaped black and white hearts. With the shapes, the preschool children can create their very own panda bear or as a gift for someone they love.


Depending on the age of the children, the preschool teacher could prepare the different shaped hearts before hand. Alternatively, older preschool children could attempt to cut their own hearts (or circles) which fosters fine motor skills. Either way, a template of different shaped hearts helps with the preparation. Half a heart template works well with this age group.




This particular preschool craft could be demonstrated ahead of time at circle time to help the children with the steps. This art process encourages young children to follow direction, a skill that is important to develop for their success at school. At the same time, there is always room for open ended art...for the children to create their own creations with the material, wonderfully illustrated in the following photo taken from
Luv Pre-K

From Luv Pre-K Heart Art

Preschool Christmas Presents

To prepare for the holiday season, preschool and daycare educators begin planning a variety of arts and crafts for children to make. One of the art projects will be the "Christmas" gift for the parents. This gift tends to be one of those projects that is more product orientated, and teacher directed. Many teachers and caregivers prefer to have young children make presents that are orientated around winter holiday celebration versus traditional Christmas gifts. This way each family, regardless of their personal beliefs and religion, can appreciate the gifts being made. Following are some ideas for this holiday gift making process.


The Holiday Centerpiece

This centerpiece can be used with real pine branches, which of course will be a temporary gift, or plastic pine branches that can be purchased at most shopping outlets. Each child will have a container holding a floral foam that is usually used for flower arrangements (a firm play dough mixture can be used as well). In the middle a candle will be placed, and then children will be given a variety of branches and other decorative items to place around the candle. Adults, ahead of time, should prepare sticks, for example, skewers or chopsticks, by glueing items on top such as small bells, tiny bows, pinecones and so forth. The branches and the other sticks can be pushed into the foam to create a wonderful centerpiece that can be used to help decorate a family home.


The Holiday Handprint Wreath

The handprints will be made either by having a child dip his/her hand repeatedly into green paint, or by tracing his/her hands onto green construction paper. The handprints can be placed onto firm paper, a paper plate or material, such as a large napkin. Once the paper handprints are cut out they are ready to be glued onto paper or paperplates to create the wreath.If older children are tracing their hands, they can also cut out the handprints. Approximately 8-10 handprints are needed. The handprints can be positioned different ways to make the holiday wreath. One way is to have the palms of the hands in the middle, facing out and the other is to have the hands one behind the other in a circle. If painting, red thumbprints can make the berries, or small hearts can be used. Finish the wreath with a big red bow, and this poem:

My handprints made this wreath
My thumbprints, each berry
I hope this helps you have
A Christmas, that's merry!


Handprint Gift for Toddlers to Make

This art project for toddlers to make for mommy and daddy is very simple. Have a child place their hands into redpaint and place onto firm construction paper. When the handprints are dry, the adult will cut out the handprints and place a magnet on the back. Add a poem to add a special touch to this present. Alternatively, have the young children decorate the handprints with glitter and glue and place a string on each hand for Christmas Tree decorations


Picture Frame Holiday Present

A photo of a child always make a wonderful present. In this arts and crafts project, children will decorate stryofoam trays with pasta. Collect styrofoam trays that are used for packaging at grocery stores ahead of time or try and have them donated by family members or stores themselves.
Each child will decorate the outside of a tray with pasta. Bowtie pasta works well for this holiday gift. When the glue is all dry, an adult will spray paint the entire tray with silver or gold paint. Make sure to wear a facemask in a well vented area and away from all children for this step. When the tray is completely dry, finish the gift by placing the child's photo in the middle and by putting a magnet on the back.

Read my blog article on picture frames for more ideas!


Christmas Tree Decorations

 

The tree decorations are age and developmentally appropriate for preschool and toddler aged children. Above is one idea. For more, please visit my Pinterest Board.