An ideal learning environment for young children is one where the students can focus on their schoolwork and their teacher and not be distracted by uncomfortable temperatures, insufficient lighting and poor classroom design, for example. Research presented by Australia's Victorian Institute for Teaching notes that chronic noise exposure could impair a child's reading efforts, so an environment where noise can be absorbed and kept to a minimum is helpful. Teachers who observe how children respond in a particular learning environment can often pick up clues about what works well and what needs modification.
Significance
In a report by Australia's Victorian Institute of Teaching, education experts note research indicating that all areas of the school building, including classrooms, entrances, public areas, play areas, libraries and cafeterias, affect student achievement and how well students learn. The Institute also suggests creating an environment that includes visual displays of finished projects and well-done assignments to demonstrate to young children what successful effort looks like.
Features
An ideal learning environment for a six-year-old is obviously much different than one for a 14-year-old, though in both cases it's important that students have age-appropriate and useful materials available in the classroom or at home. The International Montessori Index, a reference for Montessori schools, teachers and families, notes that through age 6, children learn through physical contact and movement within their environments. Math is learned with the use of objects like multiplication beads. But as kids move into their teen years and can think more abstractly, those hand-held items lose their value, and books and computers become much more appropriate for them. Montessori schools also promote the importance of having clear spaces in the classroom where young children can engage in creative play.
Size
In an article in the Johns Hopkins University education journal "New Horizons," architect Dale Lang, who also holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and assists educators in designing schools, notes that larger classrooms allow more flexibility for student arrangement and the kinds of activities that can take place in the room. Conversely, smaller rooms lend themselves to more intimacy. Larger rooms with hard wall surfaces can get noisy, particularly if more than one person is talking at once. Both larger and smaller classrooms have advantages and disadvantages, which makes it especially important that the teacher be aware of classroom limitations and possibilities and seeks ways to make the most of it.
Considerations
Students with certain learning disabilities or other conditions that may affect learning or performance may do better in classrooms designed or altered to fit their needs. For example, in a classroom with special needs children--particularly those with attention challenges--placing desks with some space around each child instead of arranging them into groups can reduce the distractions caused by being so close to other students, according to the free education resource, Teachers Helping Teachers.
The Home Environment
An ideal learning environment for young children should be established at home, as well as at school. For example, a young child should be able to do homework in a well-lighted area that is free of distractions such as television. The right materials, such as paper, scissors, sharpened pencils, and crayons, need to be on hand for homework or projects. By having these materials ready before the work starts, will save everyone time and help keep your child focused from beginning to end.
