Analyzing Preschool Education Models in Architectural Design

Research Article Analyzing Preschool Education Models in Architectural Design Assist. Prof. Hasibullah Khan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammadullah H. EBRAHIMI Kabul Polytechnic University Department of Architecture , https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6815-6584 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4863-0426 Received: 03.04.2021 Accepted: 26.05.2021 DOI: 10.17932/IAU.ARCH.2015.017/arch_v07i1003 Abstract: Pre-school period is the most critical period for children in which the child develops rapidly with high learning potential. Therefore, it is important to look after children and give them the possibility to develop well during this period. During this time, the physical environment affects child's body, movement, mind, language, emotions and social development. So, the aim of the study is to design educational environment that can meet the needs of the child and support its development while planning pre-school education institutions. In this study, interior and exterior parts of a standards preschool education model and common education models are analyzed. Then, the most common Training Montessori Kindergarten Ihsan Dogramaci has been architecturally analyzed. The interior and exterior spaces and various parts of the Montessori classes are well examined in terms of the physical environment criteria of Montessori education model. The results show, the capacity of the school's existing architecture and materials has direct effect on the quality of the education which usually reduces the quality. However, when deficiencies are eliminated by adhering to the principles, the quality of education will rise. This research was conducted based on available data, observation, on-site inspection and structured interviews. Keywords: Pre-school education, educational environment, Montessori education, architectural design Okul Öncesi Eğitim Modellerinin Mimari Tasarımda İncelenmesi Öz: Okul öncesi dönemde fiziksel çevre çocuğun zihin, beden, hareket, konuşma, psikolojik ve sosyal gelişiminde önemlidir. Bu çalışmadaki amaç, okul öncesi eğitim kurumlarını planlarken, çocuğun ihtiyaçlarını karşılayabilecek ve gelişimini destekleyecek nitelikte bir eğitim ortamının tasarlanmasının vurgulanmasıdır. Bu çalışmada okul öncesi eğitimin fiziksel mekânları, iç ve dış mekânların oluşturduğu bölümler standartlara uygunluğu incelenmiştir, ayrıca dünya üzerinde farklı eğitim modelleri incelenmiştir. Çalışmada Türkiye’deki en yaygın eğitim modellerin Montessori Eğitimi’nin Konya’daki Selçuk Üniversitesi İhsan Doğramacı Montessori Anaokulu mimari açıdan analiz edilmiştir. Okuldaki fiziksel ortamlar iç ve dış mekânlar ve Montessori sınıfların oluşturduğu bölümler Montessori eğitim modelinin fiziki ortam kriterleri açısından incelenmektedir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda, İhsan Doğramacı Anaokulu eğitiminin ilkelerini mümkün olduğunca uygulamaya çalışan bir okul olmasına rağmen okulun mevcut mimarisi ve materyallerin yetersizliği eğitimin kalitesini düşürmektedir. İlkelere bağlı kalarak eksiklikler giderildiğinde eğitimin kalitesi de yükselecektir. Araştırma çalışmasının bu doğrultusunda yol gösterici olacağı inancındayım. Anahtar Kelimeler: Okul öncesi eğitim, eğitim ortamı, Montessori eğitim, mimari tasarım 1. INTRODUCTION Pre-school education covers the year between 0-6 and plays an important role in the later life of children. It is an educational process in which children physical, psycho-motor, social-emotional, mental and A+ArchDesign - Year: 7 Number: 1 - Yıl: 7 Sayı: 1 - 2021 (53 - 70) 53 Analyzing Preschool Education Models in Architectural Design language developments are completed and their personality is shaped [1]. The foundations of the bad habits such as anxiety disorders, personal irregularities, excessive digital addictions and TV addiction in the future life of children are laid in the preschool period [1]. Therefore, preschool education is very important and it is the period when all aspects of the developments are most interrelated compared to other periods of the life [2]. In today’s education system, the institutions that provide education to the children and support their development are called pre-school education institutions [3]. In recent years, educators, architects, and researchers have revealed that the design of the classrooms greatly influences children's behavior. In this study, it is tried to examine the relevant literature on what qualities the kindergartens should be designed in order to assure children to lead a healthier and more efficient life and support its development while planning pre-school education institutions. Within the scope of the study, technical drawings and images were used in the preparation of preschool plans. In the examination of the preschool, methods such as observation, on-site inspection, one-to-one interviews with educators and students were used. 2. CHILDREN AND EDUCATION Design of the educational institutions consists of two important architectural structure features: institutional architecture and learning areas that reflect the pedagogical aspect of education [4]. While the institutional architecture reflects the side of the physical space related to the exterior spaces and its appearance, the educational environments reflect the pedagogical side of education can be affected by educational phenomena such as the teaching models to be used. For instance, an educational environment in which “Multiple Intelligence Theory” is used should be consist of unstable sequences and the field should be suitable for changing effectively and rapidly [5]. 2.1. Planning Principles of Kindergarten Interior principles: The interior space arrangements in pre-school education institutions such as doors, windows and floors need to be visible from outside the building. Another factor that should be considered in interior arrangement is the provision of materials. Since the achievements and indicators of the program should be considered before planning; at this point, it should not be forgotten that the teacher has a big role in organization of the classroom [6]. Early childhood education centers in the United States covers six main areas: outdoor spaces, classrooms, multi-purpose room, healthcare area, teacher workspace and executive office. All areas in early childhood centers should be easily accessible for children with disabilities and comply with all local accessibility rules of the “American Disability Movement” [7]. 54 Hasibullah Khan, Mohammadullah H. EBRAHIMI Table 1. Places in Pre-School Education Executive Room Cloakroom Multi-Purpose Hall Multi-Purpose Hall Multi-Purpose Hall Infirmary Room Kindergarten Kitchen Game Room Game Room Kindergarten Toilet Kindergarten Toilet Kindergarten Teacher Room A+ArchDesign - Year: 7 Number: 1 - Yıl: 7 Sayı: 1 - 2021 (53 - 70) 55 Analyzing Preschool Education Models in Architectural Design Cloakroom: It is the area where children change their clothes and shoes. These areas should be located in the entran (...truncated)