CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction | Why Classroom Design Matters 1
What Is the Feeling Conveyed by Different Classroom Environments? 2
How Does Your Own Classroom Stack Up? 3
Pedagogy and Space 3
Why I Wrote This Book 6
Part 1 | The Importance of Childhood Environments: What Does the Research Say? 9
Theory into Practice 9
The Importance of School Environments 14
A Systemic View of the Environment 15
Barriers to Change 17
Considerations for Change 18
Part 2 | Design Patterns for Early Childhood Classrooms 21
Category 1: Making Connections (General Schemes of Connection) 22
Mosaic of Cultures 23
Intimacy Gradient 25
Communal Eating 26
Classroom Workshop 29
Things from Your Life 30
Connection to the Earth 33
Category 2: Coming and Going (Entrance and Exit) 34
Building Edge 35
Entrance Transition 36
Welcoming Reception 39
Entrance Room 40
Category 3: On the Move! (Circulation) 42
Flow through Rooms 43
Short Passages 44
Category 4: Let the Sunshine In! (Lighting and Color) 46
Indoor Sunlight 47
Pools of Light 48
Tapestry of Light and Dark 51
Warm Colors 53
Category 5: A Place of My Own (Room Structure) 54
Common Areas at the Heart 55
A Space of One's Own 56
Flexible Classroom Space 59
Window Place 60 Child Caves 63
Bulk Storage 64
Category 6: Be Comfortable (Seating) 66
Sequence of Sitting Spaces 67
Different Chairs 68
Stair Seats 71
Category 7: Take It Outside! (Outdoor Spaces) 72
Adventure Playground 73
Half-Hidden Garden 75
Outdoor Classroom 76
Opening to the Street 79
Applying What You've Learned 80
Part 3 | Design Patterns Tool Kits: Applying What You've Learned 81
Ready, Set, Go! 81
Tool Kit #1: Ready: Reframe, Recruit, Record 81
Tool Kit #2: Set: Story, Spark, Segment 83
Tool Kit #3: Go!: Go What? Go How? Go When? Go Again 85
Pedagogy and Space within Your Classroom 87
Appendix: Design Patterns for Early Childhood Classrooms Worksheet 89
References 91
Index 95