4 Ways to Design Spaces that Nurture Child Development

1. CREATE A SMART DESIGN THAT ENHANCES HAPPINESS AND HEALTH

 
By creating a built environment with awareness and consideration of the health and well-being of every child in mind. By placing the child at the centre of every design, this empathetic method involving a user-centered approach makes for a thoughtful design of safe, clean, functional, experiential, inspiring, spaces by achieving a better understanding of the child experience and needs. Creating a safe space that encourages curiosity and wonder by providing a comfortable environment that promotes active learning. The space should be flexible and passive that allows the teacher to act as a facilitator of the children’s natural exploration of the world around them through their surroundings.
 

 2. CONNECT CHILDREN TO NATURE

 
We know that there is a tremendous uplift in the human spirit when there is a connection to nature. Enhancing the relationship between young children and nature through architecture will stimulate the intrinsic feelings of comfort, inspiration and belonging. Bortolotto supports the Reggio Emilia’s philosophy and approach which focuses on the natural development of children and the close relationship they share with their environment. It is our belief that children can best make sense of their world through their environments by exploration and discovery through which they can express themselves. By incorporating natural light and views to the outside world, children are exposed to a larger realm of wonder. Exposing children to plants, sand, earth, water, and sun fosters their connection to their natural environment and encourages sensory development.
 

3. PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS 

 
Creating a space that heartens a wholistic sense of belonging by providing children a space that encourages relationships as well as independence. Creating a space that allows for both group and individual play in a safe environment that improves social skills and positive interactions is important for the establishment of self awareness and personality. 
 

4. ENCOURAGING SENSORY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH BEAUTY 

Creating spaces that heartens a wholistic sense of belonging will help foster human connections. We can bring children together by designing innovative spaces that encourage positive and safe places to gather, socialize and play together. It is important to create a space that appeals to the senses of children through the proper use of colour, views, and materials. An inviting and comfortable place for children to explore the world around them promotes a positive association with learning and socializing that is important for cognitive development. Seamless designs that encourage organic human interactions are the beginnings of relationship building for a life time.