From Chaos to Calm: Creating Classrooms That Support Every Learner

By Susan Bryant; Early Learning Specialist

“There are three teachers of children: adults, other children, and their physical environment.”

— Loris Malaguzzi

Most early childhood and elementary teachers spend countless hours and lots of their own money to design and decorate their classroom spaces.  But beyond looking good, or even “amazing,” “cute” or “adorable,” your classroom environment can have a huge impact on your students’ learning and behavior.  Many students struggle to stay on task and stay regulated in a classroom space that isn’t well designed.  If your classroom management routine isn’t working well for you, rethinking  your space may make a huge difference.  And, even if management isn’t an issue for you, it’s good to stop mid-year,  step back and view your space anew as you consider these top five markers of supportive classroom environments:

#1  It’s clear that everyone belongs in the classroom.

When students enter your classroom, they should feel like they belong there right away. One simple way to help with that is by making sure each child has a clearly labeled spot for their things—like backpacks, coats, or lunchboxes. It gives them a sense of ownership right from the start.

You might also think about creating a little display area where students can choose a piece of their work to show off. It’s a great way to build confidence and let them take pride in what they’re learning.

Look around your classroom—do your decorations reflect the beautiful mix of cultures and backgrounds your students come from? Try to include books, posters, and images that show a variety of people and experiences. You can even ask families to send in photos or display pictures of your students learning and playing together. Those personal touches really help build community.

And finally, think about how the space feels to your students. If lots of things are labeled “don’t touch” or “teacher only,” it can feel like the classroom isn’t really theirs. Making things more accessible—whenever it’s safe and practical—can help kids feel like full members of the classroom, not just visitors.

#2  The space promotes psychological calm. 

If you’ve ever watched one of those shows about hoarding, you know how all that “stuff” can take a toll on our mental well-being. Classrooms never seem to have enough storage, but before you grab another plastic shelf or stack of bins, take a moment to look at what you already have. Go through your materials and let go of anything that’s broken, duplicated, or hasn’t been used in over a year. If you’re really short on space, think about storing out-of-season items at home.

It’s also worth thinking about visual clutter. Those fun things hanging from the ceiling? They might be swaying every time the HVAC kicks on, which can be super distracting for some students. And while colorful bulletin boards are tempting, too much going on can overwhelm the eye. Try using calm, matching backgrounds so the important stuff stands out. You can even throw a curtain or tablecloth over centers that aren’t open right now.

And don’t forget your own space—clearing off your desk can do wonders for your focus and create a more peaceful vibe for everyone in the room.

#3  The classroom is appropriately zoned.

We know young children need plenty of opportunities to move throughout the day, and a well-zoned classroom supports that. Most early childhood spaces already have a whole-group meeting area, along with a variety of centers or workstations spread throughout the room. When students have the freedom to move between clearly defined spaces—and when they understand the expectations for each area—they're more likely to engage appropriately.

For example, if you’ve got a clear art area—and you’ve taken the time to teach what happens there—it’s a lot easier to keep the rest of the room free from random glue stick streaks or surprise paint splatters. Putting noisy centers like blocks or dramatic play away from the quiet reading nook helps kids stay focused and respectful of each other’s space. And when you teach kids what circle time is all about (like staying in their spot and listening), they’re more likely to settle in during your group lessons.

Zoning isn’t just for the kids either—it works for adults too. If you and your co-teacher or assistant each have a spot to cover, you’ve got more eyes on the room and can respond quicker when someone needs help (or is headed toward a glitter spill).

One way to think about it: imagine your classroom like an open-concept apartment. Where would the living room go? The kitchen? The quiet space? When everything has its own place and purpose, the whole day flows better—for you and your students.

#4  Your furniture and its arrangement match your students’ needs.

If your classroom is one big open space with all the furniture pushed to the edges, don’t be surprised when kids treat it like a racetrack or tumbling floor. On the flip side, if you have too much furniture packed tightly together, narrow aisles can quickly turn into a maze for a game of chase.

Instead, think about using your furniture to help define the zones in your classroom. Low bookshelves, storage units, or even rugs can create clear boundaries between centers and give each area a sense of purpose. Just make sure your layout still allows for easy supervision—if you can’t see all corners of the room, it might be time for a little rearranging.

And don’t forget about furniture size. Just like adults, kids are more comfortable (and more focused!) when they can sit with their feet touching the floor and work at tables that are the right height. That might mean asking your custodian to adjust table legs or requesting a few chairs in different sizes to accommodate your students who are extra tall or still growing into their seats.

The goal is to create a space that feels safe, functional, and welcoming—for all of your learners.

#5 The space and schedule promote predictability.

Young children thrive on predictability—it helps them feel safe and in control. When they know what’s coming next and what’s expected of them, things run a lot more smoothly (and with way less chaos!).

One simple way to build that predictability is with a daily visual schedule. Post it somewhere kids can see, using pictures and/or words, and move a magnet or marker down the list as you go through the day. It gives them a sense of progress and helps ease transitions.

Little tools can go a long way too. Velcro “sit spots” help kids find their places for circle time or lining up without the usual scramble. Attention-getters like call-and-response phrases (think “Macaroni and cheese!” — “Everybody freeze!”) are fun and effective for quickly regaining focus.

Timers are also a great tool for transitions. Giving kids a 2-minute warning before clean-up or a heads-up before it’s time to switch activities helps everything move faster—and with fewer meltdowns.

You’ll know you’ve built a truly predictable environment when your students can explain the routine to a substitute teacher without missing a beat: “This is how we do it in our class.”

It’s never too late to update your environment!

If your classroom isn’t working for you or your students, stand back and see what changes you can make to improve the environment.  A great early childhood classroom is all about making space for learning, movement, and belonging. 

Add your own personal touches and you’ve got a calm, happy space where everyone feels at home and ready to learn!

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