Emotional & Physical Environment
The emotional and physical environment in early childhood settings provides the framework for young children’s learning. Intentionally designed learning environments that meet children’s emotional and developmental needs, represent their lives and experiences, capture their interest, captivate their minds, and encourage collaborative learning are a sign of a high-quality early childhood program.
The following resources are designed to inform and inspire early childhood educators, providers, and leaders in their work with young children and families in Wyoming. Professional learning opportunities and additional resources are available on this topic by contacting the WYECPLC Learning Specialists.
Featured Articles & Resources
Creating a Yes! Environment:
Transforming Your Outdoor Early Learning Environment
Must Read Books
Creating Environments for Learning: Birth to Age Eight
Third Edition (2017) by Julie Bullard
Creating Environments for Learning
Book study facilitator guide
Design for Living and Learning Transforming Early Childhood Environments
Second Edition (2015) by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter
Family Child Care Homes Creative Spaces for Children to Learn
by Linda J. Armstrong
Connections to Wyoming Resources
Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality
“The emotional and physical environment matter. The emotional environment is the atmosphere and climate of a space. It’s the feeling you get when you step in the room. The physical environment is the space itself and its contents. High-quality environments are free from hazards and dangers while supporting children and adults to feel empowered, respected, and ready to learn.” page 19 Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality
The Simple Rules, Stories from the Field, and reflections questions provide a path for early childhood professionals and families to support quality emotional and physical learning spaces for young children.
Relationships and Interactions
Simple Rule #2 Responsive
Stories from the Field Sarah in the Block Center page 10
Simple Rule #3 Reciprocal
Stories from the Field Morning Meeting, page 13
Simple Rule #4 Consistent
Examples from Wyoming Cooperative play page 17
The Emotional and Physical Environment
Simple Rule #1 Safe
Stories from the Field Child Development Center, page 22
Simple Rule #2 Respectful
Examples from Wyoming Creative Play in the Classroom, page 27
Simple Rule #3 Predictable
Stories from the Field
Home-based program with Loren, page 30
Simple Rule #4 Accessible
Examples from Wyoming Accessible Environments, page 35
Learning Experiences
Simple Rule #1 Meaningful
Introducing Letters in a Meaningful Way, page 40
Simple Rule #2 Exploratory
Outdoor play spaces page 45
Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards
The following stories from Wyoming’s Early Learning Standards provide connections to the Emotional and Physical Environment. The Equity Connections, Teacher Tips, and Try It! sections invite you to explore standards in your early childhood setting.
Relationships and Interactions
Emotional Development
Confident Pokemon Artist, page 14
Social Development
Infant Interaction, page 16
Equity Connection: Trauma Informed Practice, page 17
Culture, Family, and Community
Learning About One Another, page 18
Teacher Tip: Relationships First, page 19
Try It!, page 19
Cowboy Conference Archive
Stories from the Field: Transforming Outdoor Environments (September 25, 2021)
Wyoming Regional Facilitators Ashlee Fincher and Liz Goddard
Wyoming Program Directors Lindsey Burke from Wheatland and Wendee Web from Casper
Voices From the Village Podcast
Voices From Our Village: Season 2 Episode 1 Creating Environments for Learning
Julie Bullard, nationally recognized author and presenter, shares practical tips for teachers looking to improve their classroom environment to support high-quality learning.
Voices From Our Village: Season 2 Episode 2 The Journey of Change
Wyoming educators McKenzie Samuelson, Amanda Schmidtberger, and Carmelita Colby share their journeys as early childhood professionals learning about and transforming their classroom environments.
WYECPLC Blog Posts
Classroom Tides (April 14, 2022)
Tyler Gonzalez, Regional Facilitator
Relationships First! (March 8, 2022)
Julie Eastes, Early Childhood Consultant
In Their Own Way and On Their Own Day (August 4, 2020)
Kara Cossel, Regional Facilitator
