Research ArticleOpen AccessGoogle Scholar indexed
Contemplating Design: Listening to Children’s Preferences about Classroom Design
- 1
Creative Education·Volume 01 (2010)·Pages 75–80·Published 30 September 2010·DOI10.4236/ce.2010.12012
Copy link · social · email
Abstract
This paper focuses on children’s responses about the design of two images of interior classroom environments. Chil-dren reported that key elements were circles, spheres, and windows in the low visual stimulation environment. In the high visual stimulation environment they identified activity materials and the decor as preferred elements in the space. Results from this study can be used by designers of child development centers to guide the design of the space to reflect one that incorporates children’s preferences for design.
KeywordsClassroom EnvironmentsDesign Principles and Elements
- J. Lucy “Language Diversity and Thought,” Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1992.
- Y. Tuan, “Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience,” University of Minnesota Press, Minnesota, 1977.
- J. M. Malnar and F. Vodvarka, “Sensory Design,” University of Minnesota Press, Minnesota, 2004.
- J. Pile “Interior Design,” 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1995.
- S. J. Slotkis, “Foundations of Interior Design,” Fairchild, New Jersey, 2006.
- S. S. Dazkir, “Emotional Effect of Curvilinear VS. Rectilinear Forms of Furniture in Interior Settings,” Master’s Thesis, Oregon State University, 2009.
- M. A. Read and D. Upington “Young Children’s Color Preferences in the Interior Environment,” Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 36, 2009, pp. 491-496.
- R. Küller and C. Lindsten, “Health and Behavior of Children in Classrooms with and without Windows,” Journal of Environmental Psychology, Vol. 12, No. 4, 1992, pp. 305-317.
- S. Abercrombie, “A Philosophy of Interior Design,” Harper & Row, New York, 1990.
- N. M. Wells “At Home with Nature: Effects of ‘Greenness’ on Children’s Cognitive Functioning,” Environment and Behavior, Vol. 32, 2000, pp. 775-779.
- A. E. Boehm and R. A. Weinberg, “The Classroom Observer,” Teachers College Press, New York, 1997.
- T. Harms, R. M. Clifford and D. Cryer, “Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale — Revised Edition,” Teachers College Press, New York, 1998.
- H. Sanoff, “Creating Environments for Young Children,” Raleigh, North Carolina State University: School of Design, 1995.
- A. Clark, S. McQuail and P. Moss, “Exploring the Field of Listening to and Consulting with Young Children,” Department of Education and Skills Research, 2003.
- W. L. Goodwin and L. D. Goodwin, “Understanding Quantitative and Qualitative Research in Early Childhood Education,” Teachers College Press, Report No. 445, 2006, pp. 112-114.
- G. Bachelard “The Poetics of Space,” Beacon Press, Boston, 1964.