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Is Your Environment Child Friendly?

Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed.

Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed.

9/19/2014 

Whether it’s a child care classroom or a living room a child friendly environment will help you and the child have a more pleasant day. As a rule we want to have more yes’s vs no’s when working with children. We want more guidance and less punishment. But what does that look like?

Think in terms of who uses the space, at the same time making it functional and comfortable for everyone involved. Small children are constantly exploring and engaging in their environment; as well as learning how to interact with the people around them in that environment. In other words they are constantly testing limits to learn what they are and what they are supposed to do. You will know if your environment is not child friendly if you are constantly saying, “Don’t touch that.” “Don’t eat that.” “Don’t destroy that.” That does not mean that in a child friendly environment these comments won’t be said, just less often.

With two little rules you can make an environment more child friendly. You may find that the space is tidier, more functional and protect that vase from Aunt Mildred.

1.  If you don’t want a child to touch it, eat it, or destroy it put it up high or put it away.
   


2. If you don’t want a child to go up, out, or on something you can block it, rearrange it, or remove it.

I have often heard it said, “But they have to learn not to touch it, eat it, or do it. How can they do that if the items are moved or the room arrangement is changed?” The answer to that question is this. You have to ask yourself what is more important to you. Is it the safety and wellbeing of the child, or stuff? But how do you teach children to care for “stuff” and become respectful of their environment? Children will learn this as they engage with and interact with the age appropriate materials you supply. Teach them to care for their things, and they will learn to care for yours.  As children grow and mature you will be able to gauge whether or not magazines or pretty things on the coffee table will be safe.

When my children were small I taught them to respect my pretty things by buying sturdy items from the Five and Dime (Dollar Store). They were guided in handling them gently and I didn’t have to worry about whether the item was damaged or destroyed. Our days were much happier when I didn’t have to worry or fuss at them about “stuff.”

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