How Does the Physical Environment Affect Young Children?

Children are susceptible to any influences they encounter. They have yet to develop the filters to prevent negative factors from influencing their behavior. Environment is a factor that influences their behavior and their learning ability. Since a child can̵7;t pack his bags and move to another classroom or another city, it̵7;s up to parents to be aware of how a child̵7;s surroundings affect him.

  1. Classrooms

    • Children spend most of their day in a classroom setting. That setting may determine how well children grasp the concepts they are learning about. A bright and busy classroom may look fun, but it may be overstimulating and noisy to a child̵7;s young brain. In the report ̶0;Urban Children and the Physical Environment,̶1; Sheridan Bartlett writes, ̶0;Environments like that cause stress for children and will induce problem behavior, such as biting and fighting.̶1; Some more aggressive children may lead the pack in bad behavior that is inspired by the chaotic clutter of the room. However, when the classroom is bland and doesn̵7;t have the toys and equipment that can motivate a child to learn, the child may find it dull and hard to pay attention. Classrooms with fewer pupils and moderate decorations show higher performance from the children.

    Noise

    • Noise hinders learning ability. Loud music, jet engines (especially on takeoff and landing) and noisy street traffic can distract children, according to studies performed by Cornell University environmental and developmental psychologist Gary Evans. Evans' research uncovered that ̶0;Children often adapt to exposure to chronic noise by tuning out auditory input, which can also result in delayed language development.̶1; Noise doesn't have to be loud. Even adults' conversation can affect children.

    Overcrowding

    • Overcrowding, whether in the places where children live or learn, has shown to increase behavior problems and cognitive development problems. It also has a negative impact on children̵7;s mental health and their motivation. In a Cornell University report, Kimberly Kopko writes that researcher Gary Evans ̶0;identifies density, or number of people per room, as the crucial variable for measuring effects of crowding on children̵7;s development.̶1; Children in less crowded classrooms and spacious suburban homes were found to perform at a higher level.

    Poverty

    • Children can̵7;t pick and choose where they live and grow up. In low-income neighborhoods, children are often exposed to overcrowding and rundown rental properties. From major cities like Los Angeles to Third World countries in Africa, their parents live in areas far from decent-paying jobs and away from health care services. Sheridan Bartlett writes, ̶0;This can undermine the quality of care for young children and any sense of family life; for older children, it also means isolation from the opportunities and interest that the rest of the city holds.̶1;

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