Designs for Living and Learning: Transforming Early Childhood Environments

My director bought the book for our reference room and I happened to pick it up because I was struggling with how my room was going to look for the new school year. The pictures are colorful and detailed so you can easily mimic the ideas. Each chapter offers something new to add to your classroom. One thing that I really enjoyed besides the pictures was that the pictures were from schools from all over, not just one school. I would look at a picture and be like wow how can I incorporate that into my classroom. It is a good book for someone looking to spice up their room.

This book is filled with beautiful color photographs of early childhood environments around the country. It has inspired me to really think about the specific elements of the classroom environment I provide for children. Read this book if you want to offer young children more than commercialized, cartoon filled classrooms. It will inspire you!

I'm just a stay at home mom but the centers/daycares in this book look so great I wish I could send my kids! I am inspired to start my own family childcare using these ideas, they are really helpful and right on target. Creative and economical ideas, this book is not a waste of money. Many many photographs, too.

I LOVE this book. This is best book I've found when it comes to beautiful, illustrative pictures of children's learning environments. If you want to create a place that invites children with natural materials, this is the perfect book to inspire you. Leave commercialism and plastic toys behind...you can do it! I love this book. Did I already say that? I'd buy two if they were cheaper!

This book is worth every penny for early childhood programs who are interested in creating nurturing spaces for children to flourish. Even the look of the book makes you want to savor it - hundreds of color photographs on glossy pages that invite you to browse before even reading the text.This is not a curriculum book per se, although it certainly offers ideas and suggestions for activities, such as expanding the small block materials with drift wood, smooth stones, and other found materials. It is more about creating an aesthetically pleasing environment in which children can learn and grow AND be comfortable space for children, teachers, and parents alike.