Just like us, babies and toddlers are affected by their setting and environments, even if they cannot yet tell us how they are feeling. It is part of our role to make sure learning spaces make little ones feel welcome, secure and happy to learn.
The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education recognizes the huge impact of the environment by referring to it as the “third teacher” (with parents and teachers as children’s first and second teachers).
Little ones who are mobile already have a strong desire to move around and explore their environment. Caregivers should provide spaces that are safe for them, clean, and also stimulating. Floor coverings, such as vinyl mats which are thick and create a softer landing, will help mobile infants feel comfortable moving on the floor. Adding additional resources such as tunnels to the environment will encourage further exploration and development of motor skills. Offering safe furniture upon which infants or toddlers can pull themselves up and cruise or creep along is also helpful - faux leather blanket boxes and storage cubes are often a great option for this.
It is important to explore the environment from the perspective of babies and toddlers, e.g., crawl around on your hands and knees or lay on the floor, to understand how well it functions for small children using the space in this way.
How can you create an environment that supports meaningful interactions between caregivers and infants and toddlers?
Include lots of spaces and options where adults can sit comfortably with babies and toddlers, such as cushions on the floor, beanbags, benches, and tables for meals.
Make sure floors are clean and not slippery and offer a safe place for little ones to land if they fall, such as foam mats and soft furniture.
Design spaces where babies and toddlers can freely explore and caregivers can be close by - this supports their developing sense of independence and lessens the need for redirection. It also allows you to pay more attention to engaging in responsive interactions with children.
Find safe spaces for babies and toddlers to explore movement at all levels of development and avoid placing them in restrictive devices, such as swings, bouncy seats, or high chairs. These devices restrict natural movement, preventing children from using their muscles to roll, balance and pull themselves up.
Arrange furniture so that there are clear pathways for children to easily make their way through the room.Use low shelves, dividers, and other furniture that allow you to easily see over them and monitor children in all areas of the room at all times.
What other areas should I include in a baby or toddler room?
- Cosy spaces to safely take a break from the group and calm down.
- Reaching, grasping and kicking area (various hanging materials).
- Climbing area (stairs, platforms, risers, low cubes).
- Mirror area.
- Blocks and building, construction area.
- Soft toy area.
- Books and language areas.
- Dramatic play area (play kitchen, dress-up materials).
- Messy area (art and expressive materials, sand and water table).
- Sound area (chimes, instruments, music, CDs and player).
- Sensory area (scented items, natural materials).
- Animal area.
How to Focus on the prime areas of learning for babies and toddlers:
- Baby sign/ makaton to develop speech and language
- Floor mats and sensory mats to encourage tummy time (here is an example of one I made https://www.arthurwears.com/2015/10/diy-sensory-activity-mat-for-babies.html )
- Heuristic play items and loose parts safe for babies to touch, set out in open treasure baskets and trays
- Soft play cubes/soft top storage boxes/Ikea crash mats to encourage ‘pulling up’ and safe climbing (we have this one and I folded it to make low steps https://amzn.to/2QAgIXg )
- Cause and effect toys and items, musical instruments etc
- Hanging mobiles
- Sensory play items (eg here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BnT2HQ-Biec/?igshid=pqmlz1h7e3c )
- Reading/picture books to explore (include some black and white books for young babies - we used this one with noise buttons to press and a repetitive storyline: https://amzn.to/2QvWwWe )
- 100 first words book is fantastic for helping to recognise, point out and eventually name common objects - https://amzn.to/37ka4Lj
- Avoid things like hanging bouncers and jumperoos as they can delay standing/walking as they encourage children to use tiptoes rather than core strength on whole foot
- Encourage baby wearing with an open dialogue - explaining what they are doing. What they can see etc
I also have some older blog posts here which you might find helpful:
- DIY glitter sensory bottles
- Baby sensory activities for speech and language
- DIY sensory pouch
- Baby challenge baskets
- Developing language in babies
- Rainbow spaghetti
- Edible finger paint
