All photography by Karen Stephens unless otherwise noted Ceiling FascinationsGood Reasons to Look Upby Karen Stephens wwwChildCareExchangecomENGAGING ENVIRONMENTSMARCHAPRIL 2015 EXCHANGE A m ID: 348048
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ENGAGING ENVIRONMENTSwww.ChildCareExchange.comEXCHANGE MARCH/APRIL 2015It’s important for children to learn to take socially and in their physical environment. Our programs offer plentiful opportuniIntentionally created physical space can also foster children’s ability to consider multiple perspectives. One environmental factor this article will explore is ceiling I’d recline (or sometimes even stand on trowel patterns that had been left behind lay under tree canopies to get a good look at the undersides of leaves, bird nests, and squirrel dreys. Like you, I looked skyward to find animal shapes in clouds. And nighttime stargazing pulled my eye to the biggest Today, children still benefit from those weekdays are spent at home or in an early childhood program. It’s up to you and me to create the opportunity for them to occur. \r \f \n \r\r\f\f \r\r \r\r \t \f \r \n\f \f\r \f\t\f\r\r \r\n \r\r \r \f\f\r \t€ \r \f\t ‚\r ƒ\r \t „ \r \r …\r\t\r \r \f \f\r \f \f\r \n \r \r All photography by Karen Stephens unless otherwise noted. Ceiling Fascinations:Good Reasons to Look Up!by Karen Stephens www.ChildCareExchange.comENGAGING ENVIRONMENTSMARCH/APRIL 2015 EXCHANGE A mobile of lightweight cooking tools or lunch area.ordinarily used for outdoor active play.Group items as purposeful cognitive provocations. For instance, suspending pieces of driftwood, from smallest to largest, can lead children to consider order and sequence, along Some words of advice on policies. First, if you operate in shared, borrowed, or rented space, inquire if you’re allowed directors should be prepared to give staff guidelines for facility modifications, including classroom ceiling décor. Getting the Job Donemobiles) are light enough to be hung from the ceiling, but the strategy of stable hanging structure is also useful. Never disturb a ceiling area that Practice fire prevention by steering clear of electrical wires, lighting hot spots, fire alarms and fire sprinklers. (Your Fire Marshall can advise you.)Don’t over-clutter. Encourage focal points, not over-stimulating or to focus children’s attention and claustrophobic.Rotate ceiling adornments routinely to add novelty and reduce visual crowding. ceiling decor to add interest; texture, size, color, shape, pattern, sound, and scent are all variables to use in Engage children’s sense of whimsy and creativity by repurposing If you’re very lucky, you may work in a For instance, some new facility construction includes creative use of features like sheltered outdoor spaces. Some boast targeted spotlighting (e.g., for a storytime reader), and dimmer switches for variable mood lighting. Yes, early childway, baby! All of these features are great. But many offer such a lush ceiling landscape. In boring, spackled, and even water-stained ceilings. But whether old or new, every ceiling can benefit from some creative tweaking. This article offers ideas for giving kids good reasons to look up! Design and Décor ConsiderationsSafety first. Make sure any item hung from the ceiling is secure; falling items can be dangerous. Suspend items that could pose choking hazards out of children’s reach. Photograph Courtesy of Milgard Child Development Center ENGAGING ENVIRONMENTSwww.ChildCareExchange.comEXCHANGE MARCH/APRIL 2015colored wool batting Metal garden hook, plant hangerNature finds (feathers, shells, leaves, pinecones, large fronds, banana Posters or children’s book jacket Puppets, small stuffed animalsStreamersWindchimesMaterials for Suspending ObjectsBungee cordSpring-loaded curtain rodsTree branches Wood trellis Wreaths: straw, willow, grapevine, Fascinations for Ceiling DisplaysBird feeder or house (outside)Children’s 3-D artworkColored plastic tablecloths, runnersSuch a structure could be a necessity when faced with very high ceilings. To securely install such structures, a skilled staff member, parent, or professional carpenter is needed. Once a structure suspend and an appropriate method for hanging them. Listed below are programs. Structures for Ceiling SuspensionAntlers (deer, moose, elk)Embroidery and quilt hoops www.ChildCareExchange.comENGAGING ENVIRONMENTSMARCH/APRIL 2015 EXCHANGEGazebo or pergolaTreehouseWillow hut Inspiring Facility ResourcesThe photos included in this article are meant to inspire. But there are also many other sources to stimulate your creativity. I’ve found engaging ceiling features at the following places:Children’s art centers, independent bookstores, discovery museums, hospitals, libraries, theatres, zoos, nature centers, and public gardens. Local early childhood programs.naptime for those slow to slumber. Of nating projected patterns with items such as colored glass pebbles, building tree leaves, or flower petals. Other ways Artistic light fixture shades of dramatic color, pattern, or shapeColored cellophane sheets over high front of windowsMirrored tiles or balls suspended near a light sourceOutdoor Playspace Ceilingsengaging ceiling of all. But there are also ways to ‘lower’ ceilings outdoors to offer children a sense of coziness and privacy. Listed are some examples to consider: Umbrellas, invertedUtilizing Light Natural light traveling through the room throughout the day can be entrancing, from its warmth to the shadows created. too. The creative staff at Milgard Child using an overhead projector. By placing colorful, slightly transparent plastic shapes onto the projector, they cast designs onto the classroom ceiling. Such a light show can remain static or be manipulated by children or staff. A colorful light design could go a Photograph Courtesy of Randall Children’s Hospital ENGAGING ENVIRONMENTSwww.ChildCareExchange.comEXCHANGE MARCH/APRIL 2015 Community stores: fabric store, fair trade gift shops, garden centers, craft and hobby stores, floral shops, party stores, and thrift shops.Open Web Groups to ExploreYou can travel the world virtually for creative ideas! You know Pinterest stirs creative juices. Listed are some Facebook groups sure to stimulate design ideas, Playgrounds Childcare DesignChildspace WorkshopLet the Children PlayNature ExploreThe Architecture of Early ChildhoodWorld Forum Children Working Group, Nature Action Collaborative for Children, Early Environmentsto your program. By keeping safety, design, and children’s innate interests tive for children, staff, and parents www.ChildCareExchange.comENGAGING ENVIRONMENTSMARCH/APRIL 2015 EXCHANGE Many thanks to the following programs thatallowed me to photograph their environments:Children’s Discovery Museum of McLean County Children’s Discovery Museum of San JoseChildspace Early Childhood CentresCrescent Park Child Development CenterHaste Street Child Development Center Heartland Community College Child Development LabIllinois State University Child Care CenterLa Piccola Scuola ItalianaMatapihi Nature KindergartenMilgard Child Development CenterPohutukawa Kindergarten Pukekos EducareRandall’s Children’s HospitalSonoma State University Children’s SchoolPhotograph Courtesy Kelly Cochran Cohlman 28 ING ENVIRONMENTS .ChildCareExchange.com EXCHANGE MARCH/APRIL 2015It’s important for children to learn to take socially and in their physical environment. Our programs offer plentiful opportunialso foster children’s ability to consider multiple perspectives. One environmental factor this article will explore is ceiling I’d recline (or sometimes even stand on trowel patterns that had been left behind lay under tree canopies to get a good look at the undersides of leaves, bird nests, and squirrel dreys. Like you, I looked skyward to find animal shapes in clouds. And nighttime stargazing pulled my eye to the biggest oday, children still benefit from those weekdays are spent at home or in an early childhood program. It’s up to you and me to create the opportunity for them to occur. \r \f \n \r\r\f\f \r\r \r\r \t \f \r \n\f \f\r \f\t\f\r\r \r\n \r\r \r \f\f\r \t€ \r \f\t ‚\r ƒ\r \t „ \r \r …\r\t\r \r \f \f\r \f \f\r \n \r \r All photography by Karen Stephens unless otherwise noted. Ceiling Fascinations:Good Reasons to Look Up!by Karen Stephens \r\r\f \n\t\b\b\r\r\n\t\r\b \r\b\r \b \r \b\r \b \n\r\r\n \b \n \b\b €‚\n