The Adult and the Learning Environment

The Adult:

• Relates to all children with warmth, sensitivity, and caring to establish and sustain a climate in which learning is joyful
• Invites children to participate in planning and creating a rich, stimulating environment which encourages interaction, exploration, and investigation by all children
• Provides encouragement, support, guidance and appropriate challenges to help children achieve goals
• Models respect for people, materials and equipment in the environment
• Partners with other professionals and the children to plan, create, and sustain a safe climate in which children may work harmoniously, creatively, and productively
• Makes maximum use of space and integrates a variety of materials and equipment that stimulate active learning
• Structures opportunities for children to work individually and with other children, with their teacher, caregiver and other adults, and in groups of different sizes and groupings formed for different purposes
• Focuses on the ongoing learning of each individual child using developmentally appropriate assessment and evaluation procedures
• Uses a range of teaching methods from coaching to direct instruction to maximize children’s learning
• Supports or increases the child’s participation in existing or desired learning activities
• Exchanges information about the child with the child and family on an ongoing basis
• Learns about each individual child in order to link previous and new learning experiences
• Models and demonstrates enthusiasm for learning, and helps children to enjoy learning as meaningful, relevant, and personally satisfying
• Uses the information gained through observation, assessment and evaluation to make thoughtful and informed interventions as needed/indicated