Setting up an Active Learning Environment (Part 1)

One of my minor responsibilities or tasks as a preschool teacher is to set up an active learning environment for the children, both indoors and outdoors. For outdoor active environment, I utilise the available resources and equipment we have in our centre to make an obstacle course. These include stepping stones, a tunnel (which I put under a table so that it stays in its position), a bridge, and climbing frames. There are mattresses available, too, for children to place wherever they choose so they can safely jump onto. This way it reduces risk of anyone getting hurt.

We also have a cubby house and a boat (which are permanently situated in our yard), a large sandpit block, a bike track and a large open space for ball play or for running. Meanwhile in the shaded area, I have toys set up, such as cars and train tracks, dolls, craft and painting table which they can do or play with as they like.

How can children benefit from this active learning environment?

• The tunnel allows children to strengthen their arms and leg muscles for crawling.
• The climbing frames and the stepping stones allow children to challenge themselves to take reasonable risks, at the same time, help strengthen their core muscles and improve their balance and coordination.
• The cubby house and the boat offer elements and materials for "open-ended" play. With children's creativity and imagination, they can transform these areas into different places or for different purposes.
• The large open space is where children will practice their ball skills, their hand-eye coordination, movement, kicking and running.
• The bikes allow children to exercise and strengthen their leg muscles, as well as their core muscles in every turn that they make.

Fostering independence, sense of agency and taking responsibility

• There are benches and chairs in the shaded area where children can rest, or play and interact in small groups, when they get too tired from physical play, or due to the weather.
• Children are free to choose whatever activities they want to engage in. Though it is set up as an "obstacle course", the play will not be structured.
• The children have access to their drink bottles in the shaded area and they can help themselves to their drink bottle without having to go inside the classroom to drink water. They are able to regulate themselves that when they are thirsty or need to drink, they know that their body needs hydration.

Thank you for reading. If you have any comment or suggestion, please leave a reply below. I appreciate your feedback.