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Building and equipment consultancy
The child and the space
”Whether the space is the third pedagogue, as recognized in Reggio pedagogy, or the first teacher, as presumed by Gerd Schäfer, will make no difference to a child between the age of 0 and 6. Nonetheless, children experience space differently at various times during the day, according to their interests, mood and location. For children it is important to know what the space offers, what it allows, which decisions it invites, what its attractions are and which experiences it enables. The need for space and the requirements on the space and its equipment – in the interior as wells as in the exterior areas – vary among the different age groups of child day care centers. However, every age group should be able to make multifarious experiences that grow in parallel with the abilities and interests of children: what is the access to the rooms, free access to materials, codesign of the space? In every facility there are fuel stations, thinking stations and conflict stations ... what do we do with this knowledge. What is needed is to "move furniture in your head" in order to get a new perspective on space for children, which should signalize fewer limitations and greater (freedom ) to spread out and grow.“ (Dr. Gabriele Haug-Schnabel)
Babies and infants who attend nurseries spend most of the day there. That is why optimal spatial design and a differentiated offering of materials is essential for the wellbeing and positive development of babies and infants. Nursery facilities are to be designed with as much variety and fantasy as possible because, as more stimulation and discovery possibilities are offered to children, they tend to occupy themselves more independently and require much less adult supervision while playing. The playground should also be generously sized so that children do not feel closed in while interacting with one another and can play out their urge to move around. Elements such as climbing structures, pedestals, ramps, hollow spaces and resting areas are standard equipment for modern nursery facilities.
Wehrmann Education Consulting working in cooperation with Dr. Gabriele Haug-Schnabel and Dr. Joachim Bensel (founder of the research group for behavioral biology of humans (Forschungsgruppe Verhaltensbiologie des Menschen FVM Kandern) has conceptualized a manual containing all major principles for optimal spatial design and equipment of a day care center. On the next page you can find useful tips and links on the topic of “Building and equipment of day care centers“.
Literature tips
”Whether the space is the third pedagogue, as recognized in Reggio pedagogy, or the first teacher, as presumed by Gerd Schäfer, will make no difference to a child between the age of 0 and 6. Nonetheless, children experience space differently at various times during the day, according to their interests, mood and location. For children it is important to know what the space offers, what it allows, which decisions it invites, what its attractions are and which experiences it enables. The need for space and the requirements on the space and its equipment – in the interior as wells as in the exterior areas – vary among the different age groups of child day care centers. However, every age group should be able to make multifarious experiences that grow in parallel with the abilities and interests of children: what is the access to the rooms, free access to materials, codesign of the space? In every facility there are fuel stations, thinking stations and conflict stations ... what do we do with this knowledge. What is needed is to "move furniture in your head" in order to get a new perspective on space for children, which should signalize fewer limitations and greater (freedom ) to spread out and grow.“ (Dr. Gabriele Haug-Schnabel)
Babies and infants who attend nurseries spend most of the day there. That is why optimal spatial design and a differentiated offering of materials is essential for the wellbeing and positive development of babies and infants. Nursery facilities are to be designed with as much variety and fantasy as possible because, as more stimulation and discovery possibilities are offered to children, they tend to occupy themselves more independently and require much less adult supervision while playing. The playground should also be generously sized so that children do not feel closed in while interacting with one another and can play out their urge to move around. Elements such as climbing structures, pedestals, ramps, hollow spaces and resting areas are standard equipment for modern nursery facilities.
Wehrmann Education Consulting working in cooperation with Dr. Gabriele Haug-Schnabel and Dr. Joachim Bensel (founder of the research group for behavioral biology of humans (Forschungsgruppe Verhaltensbiologie des Menschen FVM Kandern) has conceptualized a manual containing all major principles for optimal spatial design and equipment of a day care center. On the next page you can find useful tips and links on the topic of “Building and equipment of day care centers“.
Literature tips
Last modified - 22nd March 2012 - 6:29 pm