Designs for Living and Learning: Transforming Early Childhood Environments (Paperback)

by Deb Curtis (Author), Margie Carter (Author) "The early childhood profession has developed many useful environmental assessment tools and rating scales for programs to use in improving quality..." (more)
Key Phrases: most early childhood programs, sensory table, family child care home, Burlington Little School, Head Start, Chicago Commons Child Development Program (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Give children wondrous places to learn and grow! Drawing inspiration from a variety of approaches -- from Waldorf to Montessori to Reggio to Greenman, Prescott, and Olds -- the authors outline hundreds of ways to create healthy and inviting physical, social, and emotional environments for children in child care. Full-color photographs of actual early childhood programs demonstrate that the spaces children learn and grow in can be comfortable for children, teachers, and parents alike.

Margie Carter serves on the adjunct faculty at Pacific Oaks College Northwest, Seattle, Washington. Deb Curtis works as a child care teacher at the Burlington Little School in Seattle. Their other books include The Art of Awareness, The Visionary Director, Training Teachers, Spreading the News, and Reflecting Children's Lives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Redleaf Press (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929610297
• ISBN-13: 978-1929610297
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #38,248 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #17 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Education Theory > Decision Making & Problem Solving
  #76 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Preschool & Kindergarten

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carter and Curtis do it again - maybe best of all!!, August 10, 2003

By	P. Heaphy (West Haven, CT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is worth every penny for early childhood programs who are interested in creating nurturing spaces for children to flourish. Even the look of the book makes you want to savor it - hundreds of color photographs on glossy pages that invite you to browse before even reading the text.
This is not a curriculum book per se, although it certainly offers ideas and suggestions for activities, such as expanding the small block materials with drift wood, smooth stones, and other found materials. It is more about creating an aesthetically pleasing environment in which children can learn and grow AND be comfortable space for children, teachers, and parents alike.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creative, Economical Ideas, July 19, 2004

By	Ellen (Duluth, MN) - See all my reviews

I'm just a stay at home mom but the centers/daycares in this book look so great I wish I could send my kids! I am inspired to start my own family childcare using these ideas, they are really helpful and right on target. Creative and economical ideas, this book is not a waste of money. Many many photographs, too.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!, November 17, 2003

By	Michelle Lewis (Portland, Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I LOVE this book. This is best book I've found when it comes to beautiful, illustrative pictures of children's learning environments. If you want to create a place that invites children with natural materials, this is the perfect book to inspire you. Leave commercialism and plastic toys behind...you can do it! I love this book. Did I already say that? I'd buy two if they were cheaper!