Resources within Reason
Resources to Support Environmental Practices
Camille Catlett November 2018
The DEC Recommended Practices remind us that “environmental practices refer to aspects of the space, materials, equipment, routines, and activities that practitioners and families can intentionally alter to support each child's learning across developmental domains.” This issue highlights free resources for learning about and using the recommended practices for environment.
Visit the environment section of the ECTA RP website to discover a variety of tools. to discover a variety of tools to support the use of evidence-based assessment practices. Assessment checklists are available on informed clinical reasoning, engaging families as partners in their child’s assessment, authentic child assessment practices, and building on child strengths practices. Practice guides for families and professionals on these and other topics are available. Each practice guide includes an overview of the practice, a video clip, an illustrative vignette, suggestions for formative assessment strategies, and additional resources. All resources are available to view or download and some may be viewed on mobile devices.
This online module focuses on the components of a child’s natural and inclusive environment and why attending to the environment is crucial for children with disabilities. Content addresses recognizing physical, temporal, and social components of environment, identifying when modifications should be made to make an environment more inclusive, and making modifications. The module includes content, videos, simulations, and additional resources for instructors.
In this January 2017 webinar, Karen Nemeth builds understanding about planning and implementing high quality learning environments for children who are dual language learners. The content focuses on how to plan and choose materials for a culturally and linguistically responsive environment and how to use those materials effectively.
This section of the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center includes information about and examples of practices that support effective, engaging, and accessible environments. Videos, archived webinars, matrices, handouts, and developmentally appropriate schedules highlight how practitioners and families can make necessary accommodations to support all children, especially those at risk for or diagnosed with disabilities.
Based on their belief that all the aspects of a learning environment can be structured to promote positive behavior, the authors have created a tool for classroom personnel to use to examine their environ-mental practices. This article shares the Preschool Behavior Support Self-Assessment and describes how it can help preschool practitioners to assess and adjust the ways in which their classrooms support children’s positive behavior.

Resources within Reason is a free, bi-monthly, one-way listserv provided by the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC). All resources are evidence-based, readily available and free. Resources within Reason may be freely shared or reproduced.  Past issues and other resources are available here.

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