Effects of Environmental Design in a Classroom Setting On The Way Children Act, Think, Behave, and Perform
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
As occupational therapy practitioners, one of our roles is to modify, select, create, and use the environment to promote participation, well-being, and independence in our clients’ occupations. Environmental factors can include natural environment/human made changes, products and technologies, supports and relationships, attitudes, services, systems, and policies or the physical environment such as lighting, acoustics, temperature, air quality, etc. (Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 2020). In current literature there are many articles that discuss what factors could make an ideal environment. “Environmental comfort directly influences student’s learning. It is important to consider the most favorable environmental conditions when designing and constructing infrastructure for educational purposes” (Arroyo et. al 2023). Many children and young adults are having trouble concentrating or can be overstimulated in their classroom or work setting, causing them to underperform despite their abilities. It is important as occupational therapists we pay attention to these environmental factors that can inhibit our clients from achieving their best occupational performance and participation.