The classroom environment is an essential component for maximizing learning experiences for young children. Inspiring Spaces for Young Children invites teachers to enhance children’s educational environment in a beautiful way by emphasizing aesthetic environmental qualities that are often overlooked in early childhood classrooms, such as nature, color, furnishings, textures, displays, lighting, and focal points.

Step-by-step instructions and lush photographs take educators through the process of transforming ordinary classrooms into creative, beautiful learning spaces, providing children with an environment where they can learn and grow.

With easy-to-implement ideas that incorporate nature, children’s artwork, and everyday classroom materials, the photographs and ideas in this book promote creativity, learning, and simple beauty.

Jessica DeViney

Jessica DeViney has been an employee of Children’s Discovery Center since 1993 and is currently the vice president of marketing. She lives in Maumee, Ohio.

Sandra Duncan, EdD

With over 45 years of experience in the early care and education field and a doctorate in education, Dr. Duncan has extensive experience in working with young children and parents,...

Sara Harris

Sara Harris has more than 10 years' experience working directly with child care centers. She has served as an art studio teacher, creative director, administrator, project coordinator, and design consultant....

Mary Ann Rody

Mary Ann Rody is currently chief operating officer for Children’s Discovery Center, Inc. Before assuming operations for the company, Rody worked as a kindergarten teacher, an administrator, and a human resource...

Lois Rosenberry

Lois Rosenberry is the founder of Children’s Discovery Center, a child care company with eight locations serving 1500 children. She has lectured at national conferences, authored kindergarten curriculum, and worked...

“My agency manages a large NAEYC accreditation facilitation project. We have used the book, Inspiring Spaces for Young Children and the ROSIE Observation Scale for Inspiring Environments for training and technical assistance to inform project participants of the important ways design and the aesthetics of the classroom environment affect the overall learning experienced by the children in their care. Using the design principles, they assess their own space, and tie outcomes to meeting accreditation requirements. We have used the book and the Rosie Scale to assist over 40 providers to become NAEYC accredited since 2011. We consider it to be an essential tool for our work.”

Sherry L. Trebus, MA
Child Care Policy and Quality Assurance Manager, Workforce Solutions of Central Texas

“When you open the resource book Inspiring Spaces for Young Children, you can’t help but want to transform your classroom immediately. The unique and beautiful images paint a picture of an environment that is esthetically pleasing and comforting to be in. The authors have balanced the layout of the book with just the right amount of pictures and information to give you a starting place to imagine your own inspiring environment. They have suggested ideas to use what you already have in new ways, and then tossed in a bit of nature, authentic pieces, art and culture. A perfect recipe for an inspired classroom!”

Jody L. Martin, Vice President of Education and Training
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