Discusses the important influence of nursery school design on the learning experiences of preschool children, focusing on the design of the "Haus Der Kinder," an all-day Montessori preschool that operated in Vienna in the 1930s. Notes the importance of a homelike atmosphere and a variety of room layouts and furniture. (MDM)

Emphasizes the importance of creating culturally reflective child care environments. Describes the experiences of a design firm in creating a schematic design for the model employer-supported child care facility. Specific areas of focus include: (1) culture and architectural child care design; (2) cultural research for facility design; and (3)…

The Reggio Emilia preschools in Italy have much to offer U.S. early education practitioners. If adapted, based on an understanding of American culture and of how American children learn, four components of the Reggio Emilia model can be useful in American early childhood settings. First, projects based on the interests of children can be used to…

This two-part article discusses the role of the physical environment in adult learning. In the first part, two activities--environment introduction and visualization--are discussed as ways to develop an awareness for improving the learning environment. In the second part, two planning activities--mapping and geometric coding--are discussed as ways…

The 1986 North Carolina Public School Facilities Standards were legislated in 1996 to become Facility Guidelines. A Public School Facilities Task Force was appointed to review and make revisions. These 1997 guidelines define and describe minimum facilities to ensure educational program appropriateness and long-term cost efficiency. They were…

A study compared performances on a test of selective auditory attention between students educated in open-space versus closed classroom environments. An open-space classroom environment was defined as having no walls separating it from hallways or other classrooms. It was hypothesized that the incidence of auditory figure-ground (ability to focus…

This paper, focusing on young children's need for privacy, describes a study conducted to determine the manner in which children in day care centers resolve the problem of reduced space and time for privacy. A pilot study revealed that children displayed three privacy seeking behaviors: (1) verbal and nonverbal territorial behavior (use or defense…

Intended for all those involved in planning and carrying out activities with 3- to 5-year-old children, this text provides a practical guide to creating a "Growing Program" -- a planned, flexible, evolving educational environment of things, people, and activities for preschool children. Based on continuous observation by teachers of children's…

The major emphasis in the studies considered in this paper is on the role of the teacher as a professional with particular expertise and specific but limited responsibilities to students and parents, and with certain rights as the instructional leader and authority figure in the classroom. According to research studies, a comprehensive approach to…

One of a series of curriculum materials developed for training Child Development Associates, this set of training materials focuses upon program planning skills. After successfully completing this area of the curriculum, trainees should be able to perform in several ways, including the following: (1) develop awareness of the scope of the 13…

Intended for preservice regular education teachers, the modules in Series II are intended to address the continuous instructional planning which teachers must carry out to meet the needs of exceptional children in regular classrooms. It is explained in a series overview that many of the enabling activities require contact with children in the…

TO ASSESS DIFFERENCES IN READING ACHIEVEMENT, READING ATTITUDE, AND READING PROGRESS OF FIRST-GRADE CHILDREN OF HIGH AND LOW MENTAL ABILITIES DIFFERENT CLASSROOM ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS WERE USED. EACH ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN PROVIDED A DIFFERENT LEARNING SITUATION OR "TREATMENT." THE STUDY SAMPLE CONSISTED OF 32 TEACHERS AND 810 CHILDREN…

In the industrial Midlands of England, the County Education Authority in Leicestershire County has jurisdiction over approximately 250 primary schools and 50 secondary schools. A child attending an infant or junior school works at his own pace, is creative and spontaneous, and learns on his own terms. Principals are given complete autonomy and may…

This special magazine issue contains a series of articles on the use of electricity in school and college buildings. Subject areas include--(1) heating, (2) air conditioning, (3) automated controls, (4) lighting and its effects on learning, (5) lighting outdoor areas, (6) stage lighting, (7) power supply and electrical service, and (8) food…

Topics of economical designing and planning are examined in both general and specific terms. Diagrams and photographs illustrate general conditions and principles while the text outlines criteria and provides specific suggestion. Subjects covered include--(1) building design fundamentals, (2) cost comparisons, (3) efficient design, (4) basic plan…