CREATING A PEACEFUL SPACE
We understand that the CPI Curriculum will be taught in various class room settings, but wherever possible follow these guidelines when creating your Peace Environment.
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Make sure the space is decluttered and clean.
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Take down wall hangings that are old and dated.
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Prepare your wall space once the entire room is clean.
Remember, less in many respects has a greater impact. A peaceful environment is kept clean, organized and uncluttered. The children should understand that everything has specific placements for materials.
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Rearrange the furniture to accommodate the various centers and traffic flow.
Create room for an area rug. This will create a separate space where the children can gather as a community and have a place to practice “Silence,” conversation, songs, lessons and show & tell on Fridays.
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Use low movable bookcases or other like furniture to create sections and formations that define particular areas.
-
Make sure the space is decluttered and clean.
-
Take down wall hangings that are old and dated.
-
Prepare your wall space once the entire room is clean.
Remember, less in many respects has a greater impact. A peaceful environment is kept clean, organized and uncluttered. The children should understand that everything has specific placements for materials.
-
Rearrange the furniture to accommodate the various centers and traffic flow.
Create room for an area rug. This will create a separate space where the children can gather as a community and have a place to practice “Silence,” conversation, songs, lessons and show & tell on Fridays.
-
Use low movable bookcases or other like furniture to create sections and formations that define particular areas.
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Choose a designated place accessible to the children for all classroom supplies.
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Provide a drying rack for artwork.
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Create a rug area where the children can gather for circle time.
Here, you can take attendance, have a topic prepared for discussion, read a book and give a presentation and or lesson.
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Supply a CD player and a computer or laptop.
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Decide your color themes for throughout the year to give your room a fresh look.
The children respond to color and seasons.
-
Choose a designated place accessible to the children for all classroom supplies.
-
Provide a drying rack for artwork.
-
Create a rug area where the children can gather for circle time.
Here, you can take attendance, have a topic prepared for discussion, read a book and give a presentation and or lesson.
-
Supply a CD player and a computer or laptop.
-
Decide your color themes for throughout the year to give your room a fresh look.
The children respond to color and seasons.
-
Create an environment inside the classroom to reflect the changes in seasons and topics.
For example, during springtime we see plenty of green. Flowers are blooming, birds and living creatures are all around. Art activities should reflect those things. Discussing “Mindfulness” in April, while being aware of the beauty that surrounds them will inspire many supportive lessons and art projects.
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Choose an accent color for the month that can be used behind announcements, lesson plans and crafts activities.
Doing this will help differentiate and unify the lesson for the month, making it easier for the children and parents to see the distinct differences in topics of discussion based on color. Your boards can act as teaching tools and reminders.
-
Create an environment inside the classroom to reflect the changes in seasons and topics.
For example, during springtime we see plenty of green. Flowers are blooming, birds and living creatures are all around. Art activities should reflect those things. Discussing “Mindfulness” in April, while being aware of the beauty that surrounds them will inspire many supportive lessons and art projects.
-
Choose an accent color for the month that can be used behind announcements, lesson plans and crafts activities.
Doing this will help differentiate and unify the lesson for the month, making it easier for the children and parents to see the distinct differences in topics of discussion based on color.
-
Choose an accent color for the month that can be used behind announcements, lesson plans and crafts activities.
Your boards can act as teaching tools and reminders.
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Create table centers with temporary themes.
Theme examples include holiday stamping, creating greeting cards, sorting exercises, puzzles, play dough, board games, writing tools and contemplative work to encourage concentration.
Tables can be combined for group work or kept single for a more intimate setting.
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Place crafts & activities around the room.
Print out mazes to trace and make puzzles available. Needlepoint, knitting and crochet materials can be placed in a basket.
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Create a reading area with a beanbag or a comfortable chair.
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Place an easel for blooming painters near the sink.
-
Create table centers with temporary themes.
Theme examples include holiday stamping, creating greeting cards, sorting exercises, puzzles, play dough, board games, writing tools and contemplative work to encourage concentration.
Tables can be combined for group work or kept single for a more intimate setting.
-
Place crafts & activities around the room.
Print out mazes to trace and make puzzles available. Needlepoint, knitting and crochet materials can be placed in a basket.
-
Create a reading area with a beanbag or a comfortable chair.
-
Place an easel for blooming painters near the sink.
-
Create a talking stick from a piece of wood or a branch.
This will inform the children that they cannot talk while someone is holding the “Talking stick”
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Provide a bell of some kind.
It can be a chime, singing bowl or a rain stick. Place it so that it can be reached when needed. The bell is used to bring the class to order. It’s also used to get their attention for any announcement. Ringing the bell eliminates raising your voice too loudly.
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Create a “Peace Corner” for children who are learning to find refuge in the quiet.
Define this space with an area rug. Place a table and chair preferably near a window. Begin putting together this quiet space by adding a table lamp and perhaps a small bouquet of flowers.
If you have shelf space nearby you can put contemplative activities for other children that will work quietly in close proximity to the peace corner.
-
Place various lamps around the room to add to the atmosphere.
-
Create a talking stick from a piece of wood or a branch.
This will inform the children that they cannot talk while someone is holding the “Talking stick”
-
Provide a bell of some kind.
It can be a chime, singing bowl or a rain stick. Place it so that it can be reached when needed. The bell is used to bring the class to order. It’s also used to get their attention for any announcement. Ringing the bell eliminates raising your voice too loudly.
-
Create a “Peace Corner” for children who are learning to find refuge in the quiet.
Define this space with an area rug. Place a table and chair preferably near a window. Begin putting together this quiet space by adding a table lamp and perhaps a small bouquet of flowers.
If you have shelf space nearby you can put contemplative activities for other children that will work quietly in close proximity to the peace corner.
-
Place various lamps around the room to add to the atmosphere.
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Add plants throughout your room.
Plants make a wonderful addition to your room. The children will enjoy watering and taking care of them.
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Provide blocks, legos, pieces that will allow them to build and construct for floor activities.
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Provide a train set with tracks.
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Place various lamps around the room.
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Provide dolls with clothing, play dishes, food, and utensils, along with practical life materials.
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Add plants throughout your room.
Plants make a wonderful addition to your room. The children will enjoy watering and taking care of them.
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Provide blocks, legos, pieces that will allow them to build and construct for floor activities.
-
Provide a train set with tracks.
-
Place various lamps around the Provide dolls with clothing, play dishes, food, and utensils, along with practical life materials.
-
Provide well-stocked music in area of the room.
Children show great appreciation for quiet soothing music. Add European classics like Mozart, Beethoven, New age, Jazz, Folk and other culturally specific instrumentals as well as interactive nursery melodies and songs as part of your music collection. In addition to a few current pop songs, introduce them to music from around the world.
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Allow your children to dance.
The children love to dance. Expose them to the different rhythms found in Asia, Africa and other regions throughout the world.
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Provide a box of scarves and ribbons nearby for children to toss and swirl while dancing.
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Provide well-stocked music in area of the room.
Children show great appreciation for quiet soothing music. Add European classics like Mozart, Beethoven, New age, Jazz, Folk and other culturally specific instrumentals as well as interactive nursery melodies and songs as part of your music collection. In addition to a few current pop songs, introduce them to music from around the world.
-
Allow your children to dance.
The children love to dance. Expose them to the different rhythms found in Asia, Africa and other regions throughout the world.
-
Provide a box of scarves and ribbons nearby for children to toss and swirl while dancing.
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