GROW Upp - By HABA

Discovery

Rooms!

Silke Schönrade

Early childhood is a very important phase in human develop-

ment. In the time from birth to age six a child develops more

quickly and fundamentally in all areas of personality, than

ever again in their later life. Perception, motor skills, cognition,

emotion, social competence, and language development are

essential building blocks for healthy child development, as is

the building and strengthening of social relationships. Howe-

ver, this foundation doesn’t simply occur and develop. Children

actively encounter the world from the very start: questioning,

inquisitive and boldly making it “their own”.

In the everyday life of a preschool this can create almost in-

surmountable challenges for educators. Depending on their

average daily stay, many children spend at least 6,000-8,000

waking hours of their most important developmental phase in

daycares and preschools.

A Holistic Room Concept to Support

the Development of Children Age 0-6 Years

Educational Concept

Sport science graduate

(German Sport University Cologne)

Consultant for interior design and room concepts in

preschools

Specialist author

Freelance lecturer

with a focus on:

Room design in daycares

•

and preschools

Psychomotor function

•

Motor diagnostics

•

Language development

•

grow.upp

- Discovery Rooms

with its design the furniture

matches the

diverse needs of children, picking up

the educational beneÀt, facilitating the

daily routine and supporting the educa-

tional work of the teachers.

The new room concept challenges the

children every day, encouraging them to

mnd their own creative solutions when

playing. The interaction of thinking, acting

and feeling

supports the children’s de-

velopment and learning processes.

This concept

supports

a children‘s

curi-

osity

when exploring the room’s environ-

ment or pausing in the interesting retreat

areas. Platforms, trapezoid cabinets, cub-

by hole caves, and angle and corner ca-

binets open up a true “

movement paradi-

“ for the children, which makes a variety

physical

and

perception experiences

possible.

This creates some

relief

for the teachers.

The educational areas, play areas and re-

treat spaces can be used by many child-

ren. Depending on their individual needs

they can retreat, occupy themselves, ob-

serve quietly or simply have a rest in one

of the cubby hole caves. A

stimulating

and

varied environment

, in which three-

dimensional experiences can be gathe-

red, helps the inquisitive child learn about

their world.

Color Scheme

The

inspiration from nature

can be found

in the grow.upp selection of shapes and

color. Gentle, subdued colors, which are

close to nature, soothe the eyes and give

positive visual stimuli

. Carefully selec-

ted color accents – on the furniture as well

as in the entire room – give children the

stimulus required for their development.

Colors create emotional reactions

. They

affect moods and contribute to a sense

of well-being. The colors are perceived

not only by the eyes but also by the enti-

re body. They affect breathing, the pulse,

the hormones, the nervous system and the

brain.

Grow.upp also pays attention to the diffe-

rent development-dependant perceptions

of color:

Children

are provided with har-

monious colors with

few contrasts

. Se-

lected visual stimuli are given through play

material, carpets and fabrics.

The furniture for

preschool children

also characterised by a harmonious color

scheme.

Selective contrasts

emphasise

the clarity, order and structure of the room

design. The new holistic grow.upp room

concept

meets all the requirements

which are set for a

Áexible furniture for

ages

to six years. It makes

simple and

time-saving handling

by the teachers

possible, even when the room is spon-

taneously changed as part of children’s

play. With these room concepts, individual

solutions can quickly and simply be found

in mixed-age groups.

This is where grow.upp

comes in: