Little Owl Preschool, Long Beach

At Little Owl, we believe we shortchange our children when we provide them with an uninspiring learning environment. This can negatively impact learning. If children are not motivated and inspired, then they will not learn. Therefore, stimulating learning environments are essential for young children’s growth. Research suggests that an environment that nurtures learning provides the necessary resources and time for investigative play and experimentation. It is one in which children are free and motivated to make choices and to explore answers without feeling intimidated. Opportunities such as these provide the development of critical thinking skills. The environment is the foundation of our curriculum. This means that it is child-centered with attractive and interesting materials provided in an organized and thoughtful fashion. A supply of backup materials is kept in storage and used on a rotating basis to supplement an interest emerging in children’s play. Some materials are introduced to the class with guidelines to expose the children to specific use and techniques. Most of the materials are undefined and as open-ended as possible.