The Third Dimension in Preschools: Preschool Environments and Classroom Design

The physical environment plays an important role in the lives of preschoolers with special needs. It can add a significant dimension to children’s experience and development when the physical environment is carefully and knowingly arranged. The physical environment and the curriculum together enhance and support the child's ability to do something himself, take care of himself, initiate and complete activities, take control of his own actions and responsibilities, communicate and interact with others easily, and have better perceptual and motor skills. In this paper, more than a physical space, the physical environment is discussed in terms of different aspects, namely, relation of the physical environment to the curriculum philosophy, general schedule of activities, modifications, safety-security issues, different areas, placement of those areas, furniture/materials, lighting, textures/colors, and