AN ENABLING LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
An enabling learning environment is one that is inviting, exciting and creates an atmosphere that encourages learning through exploration. It is important for a classroom to be organised in such a way that children feel welcome and connected to their learning experiences as well as their peers and teacher. The Early Years Learning Framework explains the importance of an enabling environment being a safe harbour, a place where children can be themselves and become who they want to be and the enabling environment contains quality and challenging resources that encourage children to participate in play. An enabling environment encourages children to participate in all the classroom has to offer and it has enough variety so that all children can learn by exploring their interests. This enabling environment promotes and supports children's behaviour by allowing them to feel comfortable, accepted and challenged (Early Childhood Australia, 2011).
It is important to create a positive classroom climate which can be achieved by including children in the design of the classroom and also having the children discuss and come up with the classroom culture and rules, this ensures children agree with the culture of the classroom and are more likely to consistently follow the classroom rules and respect the educator and the culture of the classroom (Carrington & MacArthur, 2012). Children connect with their environment, the teacher and their peers in a more positive way if they are active contributors to the environment around them, as children feel ownership over their learning when they contribute to the way it takes place (Early Childhood Australia, 2011).
It is important for educator's to be able to observe, identify and manage challenging behaviours within the learning environment and how to accommodate and shape the classroom to promote positive behaviour and help those with challenging behaviours to feel comfortable and feel supported. For example, the learning environment should include a quiet rest area for those who may need to step away from their peers if they feel overwhelmed and being to exhibit behaviours that cause distraction to others. Understanding children's behaviour and implementing the appropriate strategies will help the environment encourage all children to behave in a positive manner (Conway, 2009).
Promoting an enabling environment
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EYLFPLP_E-Newsletter_No13.pdf
Positive classroom climate
http://www.cfchildren.org/advocacy/about-us/e-newsletter/articletype/articleview/articleid/7934.aspx
Classroom culture explained
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/establish-classroom-culture
Learn through play
http://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/LessonsInLearning/Nov-08-06-Let-the-Children-Play.pdf
Behaviour management information
http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/about/behaviour.html
Creating positive learning environments pdf
http://www.cengagebrain.com.au/content/lyons87128_0170187128_02.01_chapter01.pdf
It is important to create a positive classroom climate which can be achieved by including children in the design of the classroom and also having the children discuss and come up with the classroom culture and rules, this ensures children agree with the culture of the classroom and are more likely to consistently follow the classroom rules and respect the educator and the culture of the classroom (Carrington & MacArthur, 2012). Children connect with their environment, the teacher and their peers in a more positive way if they are active contributors to the environment around them, as children feel ownership over their learning when they contribute to the way it takes place (Early Childhood Australia, 2011).
It is important for educator's to be able to observe, identify and manage challenging behaviours within the learning environment and how to accommodate and shape the classroom to promote positive behaviour and help those with challenging behaviours to feel comfortable and feel supported. For example, the learning environment should include a quiet rest area for those who may need to step away from their peers if they feel overwhelmed and being to exhibit behaviours that cause distraction to others. Understanding children's behaviour and implementing the appropriate strategies will help the environment encourage all children to behave in a positive manner (Conway, 2009).
Promoting an enabling environment
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EYLFPLP_E-Newsletter_No13.pdf
Positive classroom climate
http://www.cfchildren.org/advocacy/about-us/e-newsletter/articletype/articleview/articleid/7934.aspx
Classroom culture explained
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/establish-classroom-culture
Learn through play
http://www.ccl-cca.ca/pdfs/LessonsInLearning/Nov-08-06-Let-the-Children-Play.pdf
Behaviour management information
http://education.qld.gov.au/schools/about/behaviour.html
Creating positive learning environments pdf
http://www.cengagebrain.com.au/content/lyons87128_0170187128_02.01_chapter01.pdf