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Setting The Environment For Play

When Educators provide the time, space and access to a variety resources, children will engage in play that at times may be unexpected and/or unanticipated.  Setting an environment for learning through play is an important part of early childhood education.  There are different types of environment that we might consider:

Physical Environment – the actual place and how it is arranged

Interactional Environment – the social interactions that take place within the environment

Temporal Environment – the routines and times that occur within the environment

When we are aware of how the inter-relational types of environment may influence children’s play, then we can be more responsive to their needs and allow children to decide how the resources and space may be interpreted and used.  Following the children’s interests and responding appropriately gives children the opportunity to make decisions, hypothesise, plan, negotiate, socially interact, and use a range of language to articulate their thoughts and ideas.  By not having preconceived ideas as to how the play may evolve, adults are better able to adapt in their role as a learner with and alongside children.  This means children feel supported in a positive environment to experiment, explore, and have fun whilst learning and gaining new knowledge about the world around them and how things work.