Rethinking the Classroom Landscape: Creating Environments That Connect Young Children, Families, and Communities

An early childhood classroom should reinforce and enhance young children's sense of belonging and connection to their environment, each other, their families, and their community. Rethinking the Classroom Landscape invites educators and administrators to rethink the traditional classroom, with inspirational examples showing how to weave
elements that reflect each center's community into the classroom design and decoration.
Colorful photos show what teachers can do to encourage a sense of community unique to each classroom. Easy-to-implement ideas and strategies are based on five guideposts that help educators create early childhood environments that vividly connect children, adults, and the surrounding community. These community environments include connections to past and present, geography, typography, flora, and fauna.

Sandra Duncan, EdD, has over 45 years experience in the early care and education field. A past owner of early childhood programs, she now publishes curricula and teacher resources and trains teachers and program directors throughout the country.

Jody Martin has 30 years' experience at nearly every level of early education, a BA in psychology and minor in child development. She is now serving as vice president of education and training for Creme de la Creme.

Rebecca Kreth has spent the last 25 years working with diverse communities, including supporting teaching practices for American Indian and Alaska native children. She has a BA in psycholocy and minor in child development.