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Inclusive Early Learning Environments Cassidy Bullied Heather KayEDUC 116October 27th, 2018For this assignment, I chose to do the book area for a few reasons, the first because I feel that this area is a really important area for children’s development and it gives them a chance to be able to have a quiet space and to self-regulate. Secondly, because this was an area that I was in a lot as a child. I loved reading books and having books read to me, it allowed me to go into an imaginary world for a little bit. The book area helps children with their cognitive development, such as learning new vocabulary, using their imagination and creativity, thinking about what comes next in the story. It can help with their emotional development by showing compassion and feeling empathy for the characters in the book. Reading books can improve children’s fine motor development by learning how to turn pages in the book. There are various ways a book area is important to a child’s development and it is vital to know what educators need to place in the environment in order to successfully support the child and their specific needs. Environment: a) Use of ColourIn the book area, the use of colours is extremely important when setting up the environment. Educators need to think about the colour of the furniture, walls, carpets etc. Modern studies show that using neutral tones in the book environment is going to support children’s development. Using some warm colours will help with children’s mood and comfort. Cool colours such as green, blue and purple can help support a child’s development in a positive way by increasing your mood to calm and relaxed and increasing the chances of children feeling anxious and angry (Lascurain, 2018). Making it a home-like environment will help the children relax and feel more comfortable in the environment. Educators should stay away from colours such as red, yellow and orange. These colours over stimulate children and can evoke negative feelings such as anger, anxiety, and frustration (Lascurain, 2018). The colour green promotes a calming and relaxing environment, therefore if I was setting up a book area I would use that for my wall colour or have as an accent wall. Children that are exposed to green can help support their reading skills and enhance their memory, speed, and comprehension (Lascurain, 2018). left507900I would use the colours “Baby Spinach” as my accent wall and “Sap Green” for my main walls. This way it will have a natural look while supporting the child’s development in their well-being and literacy skills. Having these colours will benefit the child’s mood in a positive way such as feeling calm and soothing which is an essential factor when creating a book area.I would have a neutral cozy carpet, blankets, and pillows for the children to feel comfortable when reading their books to match the earthy green colours on the walls. I would add as many natural materials in the book environment as I could such as wooden tables, stumps, wooden cubbies where children can keep their books, puppets and stuffed animals stored. This way the environment isn’t going to be over stimulating for the child with bright colours and plastic materials and instead have a more natural and homelike atmosphere. It is important for the area to look inviting for every child and their specific needs. b) Size of the Learning AreaI would make the learning area a small to medium size so that it is accessible for every child in the centre. Big enough for children who require a wheelchair, have a physical exceptionality such as Cerebral palsy, Spina bifida or Muscular dystrophies. This way every child can feel included with any exceptionality. Children who are hypersensitive can have their space from others in the classroom where they won’t be touched or feel to close to others. I wouldn’t make the area too big so that children can’t run around and play. This area is meant to be quiet and a calm place for children to feel relaxed and have time for themselves. c) Number of Children in AreaIt is important to only have a few children allowed in the book area at once for a few reasons. One would be to keep the noise at a quiet and soft level for the children who are hypersensitive who like their own space and quiet areas. This way children can focus on reading and listening to stories without having distractions to other children around them. I believe a limit of four children in the reading area would be a perfect and suitable amount to be in this area. This way children with physical or mental exceptionalities don’t feel overcrowded in areas where they feel uncomfortable in the learning environment. Children who have Autism or ADHD will also benefit from this area being able to have a quiet area where they can focus and have time for themselves away from other children. d) Type of LightingFor my book area, I would have it near a window with natural lighting. I wouldn’t use big lights that could overstimulate a child who is hypersensitive. Having small lamps in the classroom that have a low setting that still gives light for children on rainy and stormy days when the natural light may not be enough. Having standing lamps in the book area makes it feel like a home-like environment where the children can feel relaxed. Adding twinkle/string lights will give a calming and natural effect to the book environment where the lights aren’t too bright. Educators can also think outside the box and add a large well-lit aquarium that can have the same effect as little lamps and twinkle lights (Curtis & Carter 2015, pg. 39). Adding an aquarium to the environment not only gives lighting to the learning environment but adds calming sounds of water and watching fish. Having switches that control how bright the lights are will benefit the child and help them feel more relaxed and comfortable in their environment (Curtis & Carter 2015, pg. 39).e) Organization of AreaOrganization is important when setting up an early learning environment. I would make sure to have a wooden bookshelf that is accessible for all children to reach. Making sure to create friendly signs that remind children to clean up their books and reading space when they are done using it. This will help children with their own organizational skills and knowing the importance of putting their materials in the right place so that their peers can find them easily. When materials and books are being put away in the correct spot can prevent accidents and tripping hazards from happening. Labeling different sections for different books will help organize the book area. You can use pictures with your labels for children who can’t read yet to help them understand where certain books are in each section. Educators can organize books that are different genres and pictures to help students who are struggling with reading. This way every child in the classroom will know where the book belongs. (Gawron, 2015). Materials/ Toys & Equipment:a) Yes, there are a lot of materials that will support diversity in the classroom so that all children will be included in this area. The children will have their own space in the environment where each one will have their own individual pillow to sit on that is spaced out enough for children who are hypersensitive. Children will be an arms distance away from each other when sitting in the book area by learning to respect their friends’ space and sitting in the area that is marked on the ground ex: a green circle that indicates where the pillow is supposed to be. Hyposensitive children or students who have autism can have weighted blankets to lay with that can help with anxiety and be calming and soothing for them. Studies show that having a weighted blanket can help with sleep time, relaxation and comfort for children. (Ames, 2017). Having cozy blankets and pillows to touch when they are reading would be beneficial for children who are hyposensitive. For children who have problems with fine motor skills, I can attach flips or stick velcro to each page so the pages will be easier to flip for them. There will be a variety of books for all cultures, braille books for children who are visually impaired, sign language books for children who are deaf or children who want to learn sign language. Books that support cultures for example creation stories to support Indigenous culture. Students will be encouraged to bring their favourite books to school, this way they can have a sense of belonging. Having a wide variety of different books such as pop up books, books that you can touch and smell, and pull flaps with for Hyposensitive children. Providing picture books for children who have difficulties reading or more challenging books for children who are reading at a higher level so they don’t become bored. I strongly believe that there should be books in the book area that all children can read and everyone feels equal. Incorporating technology in the reading environment would be an excellent way to help children with physical and intellectual exceptionalities. Having different chairs in the classroom such as pillows or bean bag chairs will be beneficial for children to have their own space. There will be an area will children can get blankets, stuffed animals and other soft materials to feel cozy in the book area. Having the right temperature in the classroom will help all children focus and feel comfortable in their environment (Vasandani, 2015).0-3810* Weighted blankets for children who have Autism or Hyposensitive children. * Rubber finger thimbles for children who have trouble with fine motor skills when turning pages in books. ) My book area will allow all children to use the books independently. I will provide tools in the book area such as velcro on books and rubber thimbles for children who have difficulty with fine motor skills to make turning the pages easier. I will have read aloud books for children who like being read to and still want to be by themselves. My book area will be accessible for children who require a wheelchair to take books off of a shelf. All children will feel competent, capable and equal in the environment. Using a wide variety of books for children with different needs I will be successful in making sure children feel comfortable and competent in their learning environment. c) The book environment will be very organized, everything will be labeled and accessible for all children. There will be signs for children to remember to put books away so that other children can find and access them easily. Each area will be set up for children who require different needs such as an area for hypersensitive children who need their own space for reading. Children who are Hyposensitive will have access to weighted blankets in their area, stuffed animals, cozy blankets etc. Books will be organized in genres to help children easily find them by looking at labels and pictures. Making sure all the children know the importance of having the book area a quiet and calming place. There will be signs that will remind children to use soft voices and to give others space who may need it. Light background music will help children relax and feel calm in their environment. The book area will always be organized and tidied. d) I will have books for children who are at different reading levels. Children will have a wide variety of books to choose from such as pictures books and also more advanced books for children who are gifted. All children will have access to all of the books, they will be able to reach them and be accessible to every child. Also making sure that I provide a variety of books that children are interested in so that reading can be fun for them. This is important so that the child feels that they have a say as to what they would like in their learning environment and give them a sense of belonging. Children will have access to iPad’s or other electronic reading devices to support every child’s learning styles. e) The book area will be accessible for all children because it will be at a height where every child will be able to reach and grab a book of their choice. The area will be big enough for children who use a wheelchair can access the book area comfortably and feel equal. All children will feel competent and capable in the book area where there will be a variety of tools and materials that they can access easily. There will be a variety of books that will include all children to participate in literacy and improve their reading skills for all learning styles. Reflection:a) Early Childhood Educators are responsible for making sure that every child is able to feel equal and competent in their learning environment. Educators will need to make sure the room is accessible for all children with all exceptionalities. Children should feel like they belong and feel competent and capable in their environment, educators can support this by making sure the learning environment is safe, accessible and have materials in the classroom that children can use to feel independent. Educators should collaborate and reflect on their environment and how they can make it more inclusive and accessible. Educators should build rapport with the children and their families and learn more about what the child needs to feel included in the environment. b) The benefits of having an inclusive environment are children who love coming to the centre, afterschool program or school. When children feel included they will want to learn and participate in activities. Children will have a sense of belonging when they feel included in the environment and be more willing to be social with peers and expand their development in all domains. Children will feel independent in their learning environment when they are able to access any part of the learning environment and participate in every activity. This will help their self-awareness, and self-esteem as they grow. When children feel like they belong and can access anything in their learning environment they will succeed when they have a positive outlook on themselves and what they are capable of doing. Educators will feel a sense of success when children feel happy and are willing to learn in their environment. c) I would promote inclusion within the early childcare setting by collaborating with families and others in the community and share ideas and bring awareness to make the facility accessible for all children. By sharing stories and ideas it will promote inclusion and bring awareness of the lack of resources and funding for young children with exceptionalities. By collaborating with the community and families we could fundraise to help get money to buy materials in the classroom to help children who have exceptionalities. Educators should advocate for all children and their learning needs to promote inclusion within the early learning environment and celebrate diversity. I would bring awareness of this topic by holding workshops at the school or centre for parents and others in the community to participate in so they can be aware of how to support children with exceptionalities and how to build an inclusive environment for all children. By hosting these workshops, I would ask other educators or experts in this field to help inform and bring awareness to families and the community. I can share my knowledge so far in my Early Childhood journey. I would research ways that I can be resourceful and build or find inexpensive ways that I can make the childcare setting inclusive for all children. Resources: Ames. (2017, February 01). 5 Research-Backed Benefits of Weighted Blankets and Vests. Retrieved from ? Paint Colors. (n.d.). Retrieved from , D., & Carter, M. (2015).?Designs for living and learning: Transforming early childhood environments (Second ed.). St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.M. (2018, May 10). FINGER CONES Thimblettes Rubber Thimble Coloured Page Turning Stationery UK. Retrieved from . (2018). How Color Affects Your Baby's Health and Happiness. Retrieved from . (2016). Why do doctors recommend weighted blankets for autistic children? Retrieved from . (2016). How preschool environment affect children's stress levels and what to do about it... Retrieved from , H. (2015). The Importance of a Classroom Library. Retrieved from ................
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