An Alternative to Preschool Education Settings: A Sample Project (original) (raw)
Related papers
30th EECERA Annual Conference: Democratic Early Childhood Pedagogies Abstract Book, 2021
This preliminary study aims to collect data to expand the scope of an ongoing doctoral dissertation study on early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings where child centered preschool education approaches; namely Reggio Emilia, Waldorf and Montessori applied at kindergartens in Istanbul. Research has shown that the need for more empirical study on the characteristics of early childhood (Gallacher, 2016) and the design of early childhood educational environments is underlined as children’s educational environments play an essential role in children’s development (Knauf, 2018). Theories of young children’s spaces highlight young children’s efficient role in responding and forming the spaces around them (Gallacher, 2016), so bearing this in mind for further research it is planned to collaborate with children as research partners. This qualitative research involved semi-structured interviews with teachers and school managers, observations and photograph shootings. Qualitative data were analyzed with content analysis techniques. Interview request and letter of intent were sent to kindergartens via e-mail. The contact information of these schools were sourced from their official websites. Informed consent form was provided to all participants and ‘Interviewee Number’ have been used for their names. The answers of the interviewees, observations and literature review have been inferred within the driven data and the concepts are coded. Preliminary findings are analyzed with a control list in relation with coded concepts for kindergarten approaches. The findings may broaden the understanding on designed environments of different early childhood educational pedagogies in terms of ‘experience, play, art, communication, nature, education, educational environments and individuality’.
A Comparison of Classrooms' Layout Based on The Requirements of Preschool Literacy
Classroom design has claimed to be an important factor in supporting the pre-schoolers' literacy development. While many studies had focused on improving the overall environment of the classrooms, few studies are established with the focus on design characteristics that enhance early literacy. Comparative studies that reveal similarities and differences of design in different contexts and culture would be a significant attempt to provide a knowledge about the proper physical environment for literacy. This study is set out to compare the appropriateness of classroom design in two private and two public preschools in North Cyprus, by evaluating the necessary design characteristics for literacy activities. The study proceeds by developing an evaluation framework that analyses the design characteristics of classroom in terms of literacy learning, then followed by evaluating the design of each classroom by using this framework. The study is finalized by comparing the findings and discussing the similarities and differences of design in examined classrooms. Findings revealed that the layout of private classrooms were more literacy-oriented in compare to public classrooms, however in none of the classrooms there was any records of specific design considerations with the focus of literacy. In general, it was concluded that in all four classrooms layout of the classrooms lacked a sensitive design with concern of literacy activities. Results also demonstrated that only focusing on classroom will not be enough and considering the support for learning literacy in all the available spaces in preschool will establish more comprehensive results.
Facta universitatis - series: Architecture and Civil Engineering, 2013
Starting from the attitude that in conceiving, designing and equipping of the areas where children stay, the areas' quality becomes enriched, this paper treats the remodeling of the interior in the revitalization process of the existing preschool institutions. The issue was handled using the input of the critique and the studies of the psychological aspects of children's stay in preschool institutions. The basic goal of the research is finding of a practical model of interior space renovation in the preschool facilities in Nis, as in a typical urban environment. The innovation potential was analyzed on proposed remodeling of the interior of kindergarten "Bajka". The conclusions from this research can be used as guidelines for remodeling of the interior of other kindergartens built in the same period.
The early years of childhood are of great importance because children's growth rate is high physically and intellectually. An ambience should be provided that allows children to use the best of their childhood. Playing games has a key role in their growth and can actually be considered as their job. It has a dual function for a child: education and entertainment. Most of the places that are used as kindergartens in Iran were not actually meant to be a child care center and are originally residential places with switched usage. The architectural forms are designed according to psychological needs of children (playing games, interacting with others, language, and intellectual growth …) and includes essential areas of a kindergarten. This fundamental research was performed using documentation and library methods. Since children are mainly interested in playing, the purpose of this research is to find some ideas to create indoor and outdoor spaces in a kindergarten, with a focus on play element to ensure the physical and mental health of children. The researcher first explains some concepts such as the importance of childhood, play, and outdoor open spaces and then concentrates on how children apply all their senses. In the end, she offers some architectural ideas and describes their effects on the child's body and mind, as well as his unconscious learning ability. A child starts the childhood period immediately after the infancy. According to various definitions this period is defined as the ages between 1.5 to 12. Regardless of all physical and mental changes, childhood can be considered as another aspect of human development, intellectually and spiritually, which influences an individual's whole life. It is observed that if children between ages of 3-7 live in a safe and creative environment, they can experience the happiest period of their lives and are better prepared to learn and progress. During the proccess of learning, they enjoy pleasure, happiness, and the sense of being responsible [1] Xiao and Gong Hao [2] pointed out that paying attention to emotional needs of children is really significant. Transfering children's feelings to external objects determines whether their needs can be met. Their feelings cannot be controled. On the contrary, by using the language of the environment to communicate with children, we can meet their needs and create their favorite space [2].
Review architectural standards in design and development children's educational centers
In this paper it has been attempted to investigate the lack of attention to how specific spatial characteristics of the children except existing places such as nurseries. In order to achieve the standard center to faster children understanding their mentality is the first issue that must be studied. Exploring the spiritual characteristics and complex ities of children can not be possible except in accordance with the different aspects and background of their growth in variouse age periods. In order to achieving the standard center for fostering children, the first issue that must be studied understands their mentality. Exploring the spiritual qualities and complexities of children are not provided except in accordance with the characteristics and their different growth backgrounds in different age periods. According to previous researches game or playing is the most important activity that helps children to communicate and educate and sometimes therapy in specific fields. Investigating game as a proper way to train, the variety of games, the various kind of play environment and how to treat some abnormalities thereby are the issues discussed in recent research. Another consideration concerns the importance of artistic activities among children which is very evident in studying identification of their abnormalities. At the end of this study after investigating how to understand child and communicate with him/her, aiming to recognize Specific spatial characteristics for better training children , The physical and physiological criteria and characteristics is Reviewed and ends up to a list of required spaces and dimensional characteristic of spaces and needed children's equipment.
THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL SPACE IN PRESCHOOLERS' LEARNING PROCESSES
Purpose of the study The first aim of the present article was to investigate the role of school environment as an important factor in the learning process of children attending preschools in Istria (i.e. a part of Croatia where many people speak Italian). The school space is also called " Third educator " by famous pedagogues and it is constituted by labs, corridors, materials shape of the building, colours of the walls, quality of the lightings, type of furnishings and all didactic materials. It is a specific environment where the children live, learn, experience, get in touch with other people. Methodology The method used in our research was both quantitative as qualitative analyses of pedagogical documentation, observation of the environment of preschools and interviews with the educational boards of every school. Results The results showed that the school space is mostly in accordance with the requirements of the current legislation of the Country of Croatia and also confirmed the importance of it as " Third educator " , especially when the educators themselves were able to ameliorate the richness of corners and materials made available for children, encouraging in this way the development of the child's independence, maturation of identity and development of competencies. Implications In conclusion, school environment significantly affects child's learning, both because of the influence of architectural structures as because relational contexts and stimuli offered by the environment and by the educators. It means that the Ministry of Education in any Country should pay attention to the way buildings are constructed, especially regarding the richness of corners and materials at disposal of the children and of the educators.
The Study of Environmental Factors Effects on Kindergartens Architecture
2020
Received date: 18 May, 2020 Review date: 13 June 2020 Accepted date:25 July 2020 Abstract Nowadays with the growth of urbanism, the vitality of the compatibility of public places and social needs has grown more important. Over recent years children have spent most of their free time doing activities with no physical effort involved. As a result, the idea of creating places designed to prevent this lack of physical activity is put forward.Unfortunately, it is usually observed that places specially built for children have been designed without taking the actual needs of children into account. The research method of this article is analytical-imputative and descriptive which, by referring to sources of and essentials of environmental psychology and growth and analyzing them, has made an effort to compile design basics in accordance with children’s needs. Considering the fact that children’s building is a content-analysis place in which a child’s most important childhood activity, playi...