Abstract
Research has shown that children's perception of the space around them is related to the quality of their play behaviors. Summaries of three research studies with preschoolers show that when children perceive themselves large, they enter complex play more quickly and stay for longer periods of time. The quality of children's play behavior changed when children played in small spaces. In these three studies, space was altered by: (a) creating a screened structure in the classroom, (b) changing the scale of the patterns on the wall of a learning center, and (c) altering the size of the block center. Each study is summarized and suggestions for designing classroom spaces are included. Implications of this program of research for increasing attention span and augmenting complex play and problem solving are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brickey, J. (1993).The effect of pattern on preschool children's play behaviors. Unpublished manuscript, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Christie, Johnsen, & Peckover, (1988). The effect of play period duration in children's play patterns.Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 3, 121–131.
DeLong, A. J. (1981). Phenomenological space-time: Toward an experiential relativity.Science, 213, 681–683.
DeLong, A. J., & Lubar, J. F. (1979). Effect of environmental scale of subjects on spectral EEG output.Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 5, 203.
DeLong, A. J., Tegano, D. W., Moran, J. D., III, Brickey, J., Morrow, D., & Houser, T. (1994). Effects of spatial scale on cognitive play in preschool children.Early Education and Development, 5, 239–249.
National Task Force on Day Care Interior Design. (1992).Design of the times: Day care. Burlingame, CA: Living and Learning Environments. (415-340-8489).
Ramasinni, K. K. (1993).Spacial density and its effects on children's cognitive play behaviors. Unpublished manuscript, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Tegano, D. W., & Burdette, M. P. (1991). Length of play activity periods and the play behaviors of preschool children.Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 5, 93–99.
Tegano, D. W., Lookabaugh, S., May, G., & Burdette, M. P. (1991). Constructive play and problem solving: The role of structure and time in the classroom.Early Childhood Development and Care, 68, 27–35.
Tegano, D. W., Moran, J. D., III, & Sawyers, J. K. (1991).Creativity in the early childhood classroom. Washington, DC: National Education Association.
Tegano, D. W., Sawyers, J., & Moran, J. D., III. (1989). Problem-finding and solving in play: The teacher's role.Childhood Education, 66, 92–97.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tegano, D.W., Moran, J.D., DeLong, A.J. et al. Designing classroom spaces: Making the most of time. Early Childhood Educ J 23, 135–141 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364747
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364747