DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET |  Introduction | both educators and children is much easier once a high standard has been set for all. Why I Wrote This Book As the former director of a National Association for the Education of Young Children–accredited early childhood program, I must confess that classroom design used to be rather low on my list of priorities. My role as the leader of the pro- gram was to ensure that the children and fami- lies received the best possible care. Shepherding a developmentally appropriate teaching staff; | 6 | creating relationships with teachers, chil- dren, and families; and caring for the health and welfare of everyone involved seemed of utmost importance. Little time was left for seemingly frivolous concerns such as class- room design. With age comes wisdom, and I can now see that I was unknowingly overlooking a criti- cal piece of the puzzle—the intersection of pedagogy and space. I have since witnessed a variety of early childhood spaces—some that are dull and lifeless, and others that exude the vibrancy and excitement that only come from COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL