Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/wonderful-walls/5016862/
Walls (and ceilings and floors) �" shield us, contain us, bring us together, and divide us. Walls become the galleries that allow us to narrate our present and past and predict our future, express ourselves, and relay news and events.Children’s programs need working walls (and ceilings and floors) which can be put to use for communication, display, storage, and activity space. The furnishings also work, or don’t work, for the program in another sense: in aggregate, they serve as sight and sound conditioners. When effective, they modulate and direct sensory stimulation in service of program goals.
The aesthetic quality of a room for children is important. If the basic furnishings look good, there is plenty
of room for the creative use of stuff and natural materials to develop a high quality learning and caring environment. Amidst tasteful walls and carpets, an eclectic use in play of natural materials, cardboard boxes, and various salvage will often be recognized as creative. The same materials in a drab room with threadbare carpet and peeling paint makes the
whole place look junky (and parents may evaluate the program accordingly). Money spent classing up the basic
furnishings is well spent. Some tips:
• Consider ...