SPACE MATTERS:  There is substantial research on the importance of the physical environment on children’s social, emotional and cognitive development. 

Acoustics
The impact of acoustics in the learning environment is often overlooked. Excessive noise, background noise, and high reverberation times are common conditions in centers, especially those without full-height walls between classrooms.

Noisy conditions are stressful for all occupants of the space, and interfere with language development and reading skills. Children should be able to hear spoken language, to articulate and interpret the spoken word, and to understand the relationship between spoken language and written symbols. School-age children need to have access to reasonably quiet spaces for homework and participation in small group activities that build confidence, and encourage cooperation and other interpersonal skills.

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