Target Audience: Professionals from ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care), Kindergarten and Primary Educators
Course Overview: The course focuses on designing and utilizing educational spaces for children aged 0-6. It emphasises the role of space as a third educator, highlighting the importance of well-organized, flexible environments that cater to the developmental needs of young children. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical activities, participants will explore how to create functional and inspiring spaces that foster learning, autonomy, and well-being in early childhood settings.
MAIN TRAINING PROGRAM
Day 1: Understanding the educational environment
- Introduction to the concept of the educational environment as the "third educator."
- Analysing case studies of adequate educational spaces in early childhood settings.
- Mapping the ideal learning environment – creating layouts for their ideal classroom.
- Reflection on how space impacts learning and development in young children.
Day 2: Designing for developmental needs
- The relationship between space design and children aged 0-6 developmental stages.
- Reviewing and discussing examples of spaces designed for different developmental needs.
- Workshop on creating adaptable spaces – designing a space that can evolve with children's developmental stages.
Day 3: Integrating play and learning spaces
- The importance of integrating play into learning environments.
- Exploring how space design can support different types of play (e.g., sensory, role-play, and construction).
- Workshop on designing multifunctional spaces that promote both play and learning
Day 4: The role of nature and outdoor spaces
- The benefits of incorporating nature into educational environments.
- Case study analysis of successful outdoor educational spaces.
- Visit a local educational garden/natural play area for inspiration.
- Workshop on designing outdoor spaces: create plans for integrating nature into their educational settings.
Day 5: Implementing and reflecting on design strategies
- Strategies for implementing design changes in existing educational spaces.
- Reflecting on the week’s learning and discussing challenges in space design.
- Workshop on developing an action plan for implementing new design ideas in participants’ educational settings.
- Course feedback and wrap-up.
