Introduction and Context
In the learning process, there are a large number of factors that education providers must take into account to ensure the most successful results. In this context, such an aspect as the learning environment is of particular value, on which the process of obtaining knowledge largely depends. This is due to the fact that it must meet specific requirements and emergent curriculum hallmarks and principles. The most important criteria to pay attention to are space, materials, and time. Depending on these factors, it is possible to determine the benefits of a place for learning and its strengths and weaknesses for both children and teachers. Thus, conducting an analysis of the learning environment regarding such characteristics as space, materials, and time provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of how it affects the learning process.
As part of this work, a study of such an educational environment as a school will be conducted using theory regarding emergent curriculum as an approach in early childhood education. At the same time, before proceeding to the analysis of the derived characteristics, it is necessary to gain a general idea of this place. Hence, I work in childcare at school, and the main spaces that I utilize in my daily work activities are the school gym, cafeteria, and playground outside. Due to the fact that I spend the most time at these locations, I will consider them as the basis of my analysis.
As part of the ongoing research, it is also necessary to gain awareness about the emergent curriculum and its basic concepts. The discussed phenomenon is defined “as a process where teachers plan activities and projects based on the specific group of children they are working with, taking into account their skills, needs, and interests” (What is emergent curriculum & how it works, 2020, para. 2). In other words, the main advantage of using this approach in teaching children is adapting the learning environment to their needs, interests, and requirements depend on the stage of development. The introduction of the emergent curriculum into the educational sphere makes it possible to achieve the most effective learning outcomes and increase the level of professionalism of teachers by expanding their knowledge and skills. All the information provided in this research paper is aimed at educational purposes and gaining experience in analyzing the learning environment and will be kept strictly confidential.
Analysis of the Learning Environment
Space
First of all, it is necessary to emphasize that despite the fact that the primary learning environment is a school, the analysis will focus on such a place as a gym. This choice was made due to the fact that it is an essential component of the learning environment for elementary school children. The gym is of great interest to children, as it provides an opportunity to perform various activities involving constant movement. For this aspect, the space provided by the selected room is an ideal fit.
Another important criterion that this room fulfills is compliance with the fundamental emergent curriculum hallmarks and principles. Hence, it meets such a requirement as adaptability to the needs and interests of students. In other words, a teacher can form an educational space that will meet the needs and desires of a particular class. This flexibility of the learning environment under study encourages the possibility of varying and changing the activities performed depending on the behavior of children. This ensures compliance with such criteria as being “dynamic, neither stagnant nor repetitive” (Stacey, 2018, p. 19). Thus, there is a circumstance in which the possibility of problems related to student dissatisfaction is minimized.
The ability to adjust and transform the gym depending on the students also contributes to the allocation of such an important criterion of the emergent curriculum as inclusivity. Thus, in addition to meeting the requirements of students, this room can be adapted for individuals with special needs. This focus on individualization contributes to meeting each child’s unique needs and abilities. In addition, a positive aspect is the fact that students gain awareness that each of them is valuable and learn to interact with each other regardless of their abilities or physical attributes.
One of the most critical aspects that must be observed in the room selected for analysis is safety. The education provider is faced with the task of preparing a learning environment for children’s activities and conducting constant monitoring of their activities. To do this, it is necessary to have Proper equipment and layout, which will ensure the most convenient and safe use of space. To do this, various limiters or mats can be used, which can be found in the gym. This aspect becomes one of the most important when matching the environment to the emergent curriculum hallmark, as it should be responsible for security and creating a place in which risks are minimized and the opportunity to learn from the experience is encouraged.
When analyzing such an aspect as space in relation to the gym, it is necessary to mention such a theory as constructivism. This approach is based on the fact that learning is an active process, which implies obtaining necessary and valuable knowledge through experiences (Taber, 2019). Therefore, it can be effectively applied to the study of the gym at school since it is in this learning environment that this process occurs most actively. Moreover, it can be adapted so that children get a specific experience of interacting with objects or each other.
Materials
The next aspect that needs to be analyzed in the context of this study is the material. The objects and objects provided in the learning environment are of particular value as they provide an opportunity to diversify the learning process and make it more interesting for children. The use of various subjects is especially important for elementary school children. This aspect is due to the fact that at this stage of development, interaction with various objects and objects that have different shapes, textures, and characteristics, such as purpose, is of great value. For children, this is an opportunity to gain experience and knowledge that will be further applied in the study of other aspects and phenomena of the surrounding world.
In the context of a gym as a learning environment, the main advantage is the provision of a large varied equipment. This is due to the fact that the education provider has a large selection of various subjects and tools that can be introduced into the learning process of students. Among these objects, such as balls, mats, hoops, and climbing structures can be distinguished. They contribute to the fulfillment of such an important criterion of elementary school children’s learning as a game. Partovi and Razavi (2019) pointed out that “games are effective in boosting students’ performance, as they activate students in the learning process” (p. 2). In other words, due to the fact that this kind of activity directly meets the interests and level of development of students, its use can significantly increase their motivation and engagement.
It is also worth noting that a large number of different materials contributes to the increase of such a factor as diversity, as it offers various options to explore and experiment. The main positive consequence of this aspect is the provision of opportunities to develop skills such as creativity and problem-solving. Thus, education providers can offer children various tasks using a limited set of materials or, conversely, give them the opportunity to choose the necessary objects themselves. In this way, independence and responsibility for the decisions taken will also be encouraged.
Another criterion that the school hall meets is the possibility of using age-appropriate tools. It is stated that “emergent curriculum is responsive to the children, thereby allowing teachers to build upon existing interests” (Stacey, 2018, p. 18). This aspect also implies compliance with the physical capabilities of students. In other words, when working with elementary school children, teachers should limit items that can harm them when used. For example, young children cannot use basketballs because they are too heavy for them; that is, they can cause injury. On the other hand, the use of lighter inflatable balls is more favored for elementary school learners, as it meets their age characteristics and capabilities.
When analyzing the gym for the use of materials, it is necessary to involve such a theoretical basis as the zone of proximal development. Vygotsky, the creator of this theory, “believed that children learn the most and contribute to their development through the assistance of the more capable others” (Silalahi, 2019, p. 170). Thus, it can be provided by the teacher through assistance and the use of specialized materials. The subjects to be picked up by the education provider in the gym will support students’ development by offering challenges within their zone of proximal development.
Time
The last but no less important aspect that should be considered in the framework of this work is time. This aspect implies the allocation of time that is used for learning activities. The main positive criterion provided by the school gym is the ability to allocate time depending on the conditions and needs of children. In this environment, there is no certain attachment to restrictions since space allows people to use different zones for different purposes. For example, one area of the gym can be used as a zone for active games and interaction of children with each other, another for dressing up, and another for recreation.
In accordance with the emergent curriculum, as noted earlier, it is necessary that the environment meets the requirements and interests of young learners. Therefore, special attention should be paid to such an aspect as providing time for rest. In this context, the space in which the educational process is conducted and the schedule that is set in it is important. The main criterion is the provision of structured and unstructured time, which will be implemented to provide a balance of activities. An even distribution of time will provide an opportunity to increase student engagement and motivation for learning.
Time is a valuable resource that education providers should productively use not only to provide and consolidate new knowledge but also to conduct reflection. In the educational process, this aspect will be beneficial for both children and teachers. In the first case, it contributes to the development of critical thinking skills and analysis of the experience they received in the educational process. In the second case, reflection helps teachers to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the lesson and the activities that learners found most interesting. Moreover, education providers can also improve their professional skills and competence through receiving feedback. Thus, in the context of time, teachers must allocate it correctly in order to be able to conduct a lesson and reflect on it.
Time can be effectively used to develop such skills as communication and decision-making. In the school gym, children are given a gap in which they can engage in activities that they themselves wish. During this action, the teacher gets the opportunity to analyze the learners’ thinking process and gain awareness about their skills in interacting with peers. Within the framework of the studied aspect, the theory of experiential learning can be of benefit. Morris (2020) indicated that “it places life experience as a central and necessary part of the learning process, where “knowledge is created through the transformation of experience” (p. 1). Thus, by providing independent time to children, teachers encourage increasing experience and consolidating knowledge.
Conclusion
Conducting an analysis of the environment in which the learning process of children takes place is of critical value as it provides an opportunity to determine its benefits and aspects that can be changed. In the context of this work, such a criterion as compliance with the emergent curriculum hallmarks and principles is of value. One of the most critical is compliance with the intersections, requirements and needs of elementary school students. The provision of these aspects in such areas as space, materials, and time has a positive effect on the acquisition of knowledge and new experiences by children.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that working in childcare implies that children are constantly under the supervision of adults. In order to limit possible accidents or situations that can harm them, most of the items are hidden or removed so that children cannot reach them on their own. At the same time, they have direct access to objects and materials that are safe for them, such as toys or balls. This aspect also depends on whether the place of activity is a school hall or playground outside.
It can be said that the gym has a high degree of excitement for young learners. This is due to the fact that they understand that in this situation, they can engage in various kinds of activities that involve movement and games. This aspect is especially important for children as it helps to improve motor skills and thinking processes. Thus, the analysis provided an understanding of whether a learning environment like a school gym meets the necessary requirements and criteria of the emergent curriculum. This aspect is supported by the fact that it effectively uses aspects such as space, time, and materials to encourage and match the learning process with the needs and interests of children.
References
Morris, T. H. (2020). Experiential learning–a systematic review and revision of Kolb’s model. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(8), 1064-1077. Web.
Partovi, T., & Razavi, M. R. (2019). The effect of game-based learning on academic achievement motivation of elementary school students. Learning and Motivation, 68. Web.
Silalahi, R. M. (2019). Understanding Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development for learning. Polyglot: Jurnal Ilmiah, 15(2), 169-186. Web.
Stacey, S. (2018). Emergent curriculum in early childhood settings: From theory to practice (2nd ed.). Redleaf Press.
Taber, K. S. (2019). Constructivism in education: Interpretations and criticisms from science education. In Early Childhood Development: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 312-342). IGI Global.
What is emergent curriculum & how it works. (2020). Bright Horizons. Web.