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116  TOPIC 7 SETTING UP THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
ACTIVITY 7.1
Visit a nearby early childhood learning centre and observe the set-up of the learning environment. Share your observations with your colleagues.
7.1 FURNISHING
It is best to develop some guidelines when purchasing young childrenÊs play equipment such as toys and educational materials. The guidelines should also address the selection of furniture and fittings for the childrenÊs learning environment such as tables, chairs, shelves and easels. The following questions (Dennis, 2008) can be used as guidance:
(a) Who is going to use the furniture?
(b) What is the use of the furniture?
(c) What kind of activities will involve usage of the furniture?
(d) What kind of feeling will the furniture give to the childrenÊs learning environment?
(e) What is the furniture made of? Why?
(f) What shapes should the furniture be?
(g) How big is the appropriate size of the furniture?
(h) How flexible/movable should the furniture be?
(i) Where will the furniture be placed?
(j) How large is the space where the furniture will be placed?
(k) How long is the furniture expected to last? and
(l) What standard of quality should the furniture be?
Answering these questions provide a picture and understanding to the educators before they purchase the furniture for the children learning centre. However, these questions are not exhaustive. Other questions may be added to the list above depending on the context and situation.
For example, it is important to think of the purpose of having the furniture. Furniture for studying may be different from furniture that will be used in painting or drama activities. Furniture that is used for long-term purposes
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