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TOPIC 7 SETTING UP THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT 
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should be durable and of quality. Furniture that will be used in a small space must not be too large. Furniture that will be stacked or moved from time to time should not be heavy.
7.1.1 Considerations When Purchasing Children's Furniture
Several factors need to be considered when purchasing childrenÊs furniture. These factors contribute towards making the right selection and providing the right learning environment for young children.
(a) Safety
It is vital for children to learn and play in a safe environment. Children like to run, jump, hop and engage in activities that may involve a lot of actions. In this regard, it is important to have furniture that does not pose any harm to the children. Furniture that have pointed or rough edges may hurt the children in the event of accidents. Furniture should be made from non-toxic materials so that they do not pose a danger to children.
(b) Purpose
In a childrenÊs learning environment, specific activities may require the use of specific furniture. Listing down activities that children will be doing will help provide a better picture of the type of furniture needed.
(c) Durability
Furniture for a childrenÊs learning centre should be durable for several reasons. For example, durability of furniture contributes towards safety as broken furniture may be harmful. In addition, durability will save cost over the long term as furniture made specifically for children can be expensive. Purchasing furniture that is durable helps sustain the economy of the learning centre.
(d) Quality
Furniture vary in quality depending on the material used, size and price of the item. When purchasing furniture, think of the quality needed for the furniture. Are there guarantees attached to the purchase of the furniture? What is the duration of the guarantee?
(e) Price
Buying furniture for a learning centre for children requires a certain amount of capital. This is because furniture for children are not cheap since they need to meet specific requirements and standards. Educators should
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