Reflection #2 Adapting the Environment

Jasmine Elsa Biju

Early Childhood Education, Assiniboine Community College

Art, Literature and Play ECED-0056

Chloe Plaisier

April 25, 2024

Children come to the programs with different needs. Some children might need extra help

because of physical disabilities, like difficulty moving around. Others might need support

because of how they think or learn, like if they have autism or ADHD. Some children might have

trouble with language or talking, while others might struggle with their feelings or behavior. And

there are also children who are good at certain things and might need more challenging activities

to keep them interested. So, these are some of the extra support needs that children might have:

physical support, learning and thinking support, language support, emotional and behavioral

support, and support for gifted abilities.

There are different ways we can help children with these needs. For children who find it hard to

move around, we can make sure our spaces are easy to get around, with ramps and things. For

those who think or learn differently, we can give them clear routines and maybe some special

tools to help them understand better. If a child has trouble with language, we can use pictures and

show them how to communicate in different ways. For children who struggle with their feelings

or behavior, we can create a calm and safe place for them to express themselves and learn how to

manage their emotions. And for children who are good at certain things, we can give them extra

fun and challenging activities to keep them interested and learning. So, these are five ways we

can support children's needs: making spaces accessible, providing clear routines and tools, using

visuals for communication, creating a calm environment for emotional support, and offering

extra engaging activities for gifted children.

There are many things we can do to make sure all children feel welcome and included in art and

reading spaces. First, we can make sure there's a variety of books and art materials that represent

different kinds of people and interests. That way, everyone can find something they like. We can

also make the space comfortable and easy to move around, with cozy reading corners and tables
at different heights for drawing or writing. For children who need extra help, we can offer special

tools like bigger pencils or quieter areas for reading. And if someone needs more time or support,

we can be patient and give them the help they need. So, by making the environment diverse,

comfortable, and supportive, we can ensure that all children can enjoy and participate in art and

literature activities.

It is important to pay attention to our learning environment because it can make a big difference

in how well children learn and feel. When the environment is nice and welcoming, children feel

safe and happy, which makes them more excited to learn and explore. If the space is messy or

uncomfortable, it can be hard for them to focus and feel comfortable. By making sure the

environment is organized, colorful, and full of interesting things to explore, we can help children

stay engaged and interested in what they are learning. Plus, a good learning environment can

make children feel valued and respected, which is important for their confidence and self-esteem.

So, paying attention to our learning environment helps create a positive and supportive

atmosphere where children can thrive and grow.