Summarizes three studies on the effects of physical environment on preschool children's play and cognitive development, and discusses implications for classroom design. Notes that size of play area, and the extent to which the size of structures in that area was proportional to children's size, affected the rate at which children entered complex…

Although millions of young children spend much of their lives in classrooms, research rarely provides guidance to teachers organizing classrooms for play activities. Psychological literature on social play and pretend play illustrates the absence of clear guidance. Whereas early research posited a progression through levels of social play (i.e.,…

Addresses six environmental variables that can influence the behaviors of young children with disabilities: theoretical orientation of the program, amount of space available, classroom arrangement, length of the play period, effects of social vs. isolate toys, and the effects of different quantities of toys. (Author/CR)

Reviews the research concerning how the classroom environment--classroom ambiance, privacy, density and crowding, and arrangement of play and learning centers--can influence young children's play and social, emotional, and intellectual development. (BB)