Volume 13, Issue 1 p. 34-40
Article

Learning Landscapes: Where the Science of Learning Meets Architectural Design

Andres S. Bustamante

Corresponding Author

Andres S. Bustamante

University of California, Irvine

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Andres S. Bustamante, 3200 Education Building, Irvine, CA 92697; e-mail: [email protected].Search for more papers by this author
Brenna Hassinger-DasKathy Hirsh-Pasek

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek

Temple University

The Brookings Institution

Search for more papers by this author
Roberta M. Golinkoff

Roberta M. Golinkoff

University of Delaware

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 02 November 2018
Citations: 15
Andres S. Bustamante, University of California, Irvine; Brenna Hassinger-Das, Pace University; Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Temple University and The Brookings Institution; Roberta M. Golinkoff, University of Delaware.
Andres S. Bustamante and Brenna Hassinger-Das contributed equally to conceptualizing and writing this article. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff contributed equally to revising and developing the vision for the overall project.
The research described in this article was supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education (Grant # R305B150014), the William Penn Foundation (Grant # 103-15 & 32-17), and New Profit.

Abstract

Rich learning opportunities in and out of school are critical for children to develop positively. Learning Landscapes is a new initiative that marries the fields of urban design and developmental science to bring playful learning opportunities to places where children and families spend time. Through this initiative, we have transformed parks, bus stops, grocery stores, and other public places into venues for playful learning interactions. In this article, we review the research on these projects, and map the vision and next steps of this initiative. By bringing learning opportunities to children and families who need it most, our goal is to equip parents and educators with the contexts and tools they need to support all children in developing the skills for success in school and life.