Safe and healthy indoor and outdoor learning environments across age groups

¶ … Children during their elementary school years are just beginning to develop their basic life habits. Food preferences, health behaviors, safe practices, and enthusiasm for learning are all being integrated into the child's sense of self at this stage. Children are learning to play with others in an empathetic fashion, to take pride in meaningful academic accomplishments, and are beginning to take responsibility for their personal safety and well-being. The developmental psychologist Erik Erikson called this stage one of 'inferiority vs. industry:' "children need to cope with new social and academic demands. Success leads to a sense of competence, while failure results in feelings of inferiority" (Cherry 2013).

One of the delights of teaching this age group is that they can be an active part in designing the classroom to make it a positive environment. For example, at the beginning of the year, the teacher can brainstorm rules for the classroom with the children, which can then be posted permanently. Because students have input into the creation of the rules, they will be less likely to take issue with them. Student art and learning activities can be used to decorate the classroom year 'round to reinforce learning (such as having the children illustrate posters comparing solids, liquids, and gases for science). Posting student artwork likewise gives students a sense of pride and a feeling that the class is a comforting environment for them (Alber 2010). Children at this age are natural 'problem solvers' and the idea that they can 'solve' the problem of how to ensure everyone is good in the classroom and is learning all of the time is exciting (School age (5-8 years), 2013).

Teaching students about appropriate health behaviors does not have to be a formal part of a 'health unit' but can also be integrated into the curriculum. For example, when the issue of food comes up in a story or social studies, this can be a great springboard to talk about healthy eating habits. Students are always eager to talk about their favorite foods. Discussing which foods are 'good for you' and which are 'sometimes foods' as well as food production and nutrition can be a regular part of class. Having a cafeteria on-premise with healthy options that are labeled as such can be an important step in encouraging students to think about what they eat -- for students who bring their own lunches, discussing what makes a 'balanced' lunch can be a useful classroom exercise.

Students can be asked to empathize with characters in history and literature as well, as a source of psychological 'health' to encourage them to be respectful of others. Talking about issues such as bullying and the different ways students can feel intimidated is another important component of fostering positive healthy development. Once again, creating a participatory environment in which issues such as respect can be talked about regularly means that these issues will be more likely to be practiced by students outside the classroom.

Physically, the classroom should be set up in a manner to encourage learning. Ideally it should be spacious and airy. The desks should be arranged so all students can see the board. If necessary, students may need to move to see one another during class discussions. There should also be an area for 'quiet time' for students to read or take time out, or for the teacher to engage in small group teaching exercises. Materials should be prominently displayed yet organized and students should be required to put back everything after they use it. Even very explicit signs such as "no running" or "wash your hands" (posted near sinks) can foster healthy behaviors. Of course, facilities must be appropriately maintained with security policies: depending on the nature of the school, there may be formal barriers to entry -- usually, at minimum it is required that visitors report to the principal's office but given recent concerns about school security, further restrictions may be placed upon mobility of visitors. Facilities should be regularly cleaned and students should be encouraged to 'keep up' the appearance of the classroom through their organization and behavior. Having a requirement that students' desks are not health hazards is certainly appropriate for this age group!