A GUIDE TO ENHANCING YOUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The goal of every Early Childhood Educator is to create an environment or known as the Third Teacher, where children can thrive, explore, and learn. But with the many challenges and misconceptions about what a child-led, play-based environment looks like, it can be hard to know if the decisions you’re making are leading you to curating a space that is working with you or against you.

Oftentimes, it just comes down to shifting our strategies and mindset. So, what worked yesterday in a traditional classroom might not work today in a Reggio-inspired environment. Maybe you’ve been trying to incorporate intelligent materials and wondering if your environment is making the impact you hoped for. It can make you feel overwhelmed and unsure.

Today, you’re in luck! I’m going to share the concept of the Third Teacher that will help you design a learning environment that not only supports but enhances children’s natural curiosity and developmental needs in ways that inspire you to have the environment speak for you.

I’ll cover what the Third Teacher is, how it works, and how you can get started. Keep reading for more details.

WHAT IS THE THIRD TEACHER?

The Third Teacher is a concept that comes from The Reggio Emilia Approach and refers to the learning environment itself being a significant factor in a child’s education, alongside adults and peers. It aims to capture the attention of young learners, drive their curiosity, and support their independence and creativity.

Why do they refer to the environment as a third teacher?  Who are the other two?  The Reggio Emilia Approach believes that the parents are the first teachers for children, then us as educators and ECE’s and finally the environment as a teacher as well.

As Reggio Children writes, “The environment interacts, modifies, and takes shape in relation to the projects and learning experiences, in a constant dialogue between architecture and pedagogy.” (Sourced from Reggio Children: https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/reggio-emilia-approach/valori-en/)

As I like to say, the environment speaks to children, educators and families.  It communicates to the protagonists to take actions, welcome them into play and the protagonists respond to the environment through their actions.

The environment is not just a backdrop for learning; it’s an active participant. It offers open-ended materials, thoughtful arrangements, and a space where all protagonists feel respected, empowered and learn alongside each other.

WHY IS THE THIRD TEACHER IMPORTANT?

Children learn best in environments that are rich in stimuli and offer a variety of materials and experiences. When in thoughtfully designed environments they also exhibit higher levels of engagement and creativity. Educators will also engage in more research, ultimately creating a co-learning environment which is an essential principle of the third teacher.

Most educators struggle with finding the time and resources to create such environments daily. By implementing the Third Teacher principles, you’ll be able to create a stimulating learning space that supports child-led play and learning, ultimately reducing stress and increasing your effectiveness as an educator.

The beauty of the Third Teacher is that it evolves with the children. It allows you to research and respond to children’s interests better and directly engage them in meaningful play experiences. This means you won’t have to spend hours preparing and planning activities that might not resonate with every child.  Instead you’ll take on a researcher mindset and use your environment as a co-teacher to work with you.

THIRD TEACHER STRATEGY

STEP 1: RESEARCH

In the Research phase, we use our observation skills to gather information such as children’s play interests, actions, and any issues occurring in the space. As well as notice if a particular area of the environment is not being utilized.

For example, you might observe that children are consistently drawn to building structures with blocks but are avoiding the art corner. This phase is all about gathering as much information as possible without making immediate changes. It’s about understanding the current state of your environment and how children, educators and parents are interacting with it.

Observation is a powerful tool that allows us to see the world through the eyes of the children. This step sets the foundation for making informed and intentional changes.

STEP 2 : REFLECT

Once you have gathered your observations, the next step is to Reflect. In this phase, you’ll analyze your observations alongside what you know about the children and educators in your setting. You’ll begin to make connections and see patterns.

This might involve using environment design books, having conversations with colleagues to gain different perspectives, and forming ideas for change. For instance, if you noticed that children are avoiding the art corner, you might reflect on whether the materials are accessible or if the space feels inviting.

Reflection is where we take a step back and really think about what we’ve observed. It’s about making connections and planning our next steps. This step is crucial for ensuring that any changes you make are thoughtful and intentional.

STEP 3: RENEW

The final step is to Renew. This is where you’ll take action on your ideas and implement the changes you’ve planned. It’s about trying out new arrangements, introducing new materials, and seeing how the protagonists respond to what the environment begins to communicate to them.

For example, you might rearrange the art corner to make it more accessible, introduce new materials that spark interest, or create a more inviting space with better lighting and seating. The Renew phase is dynamic and ongoing. As children’s interests and needs change, so should the environment.

The most successful environments are those that grow and change with the children. This step is about being flexible and responsive to the needs of the children in your care.

By following the Research, Reflect, and Renew strategy, you can create a learning environment that not only supports but enhances children’s natural curiosity and developmental needs. This approach ensures that the environment remains a vibrant and effective Third Teacher.

TIPS FOR THIRD TEACHER SUCCESS

Here are a few tips to help you maximize your results with the Third Teacher:

First, observe and listen. To achieve the best results, you have to continually observe children’s interactions with the environment and listen to their cues.

When you design with intention, you effectively create a space that not only supports but enhances learning. This will help children feel more engaged and connected to their environment.

For example, consider how light and shadow play in your space and use it to create interesting and inviting areas for exploration. The environment should be a living space that changes and adapts with the children’s needs.

Next, incorporate intelligent materials. When you bring intelligent materials into your classroom, you provide endless opportunities for curiosity and creativity to flourish.

If you want to learn more about intelligent materials make sure to check out this blog post, Intelligent Materials Drive Curiosity.

Reflective Practice

Think about your space: How do children interact with different areas?

Identify their interests: What materials and setups spark their curiosity?

Monitor your environment: Regularly assess and adapt your space to meet children’s evolving needs.

Finally, embrace flexibility. Nowadays, children benefit from environments that can change and adapt to their interests and needs. If you want to boost engagement, you can’t overlook this crucial step.

The most engaged environments are those that grow and change with the children, educators and families.

For those looking to dive even deeper into creating impactful learning environments, I offer a paid workshop where I teach my 6 C’s Environmental Blueprint. This framework focuses on six key principles: Communicate, Connection, Calm, Choice, Challenge, and Curiosity. Each principle helps educators think and reflect on how to make beginning changes to their environments, incorporating many Reggio principles.

By focusing on these aspects, you can transform your space into one that speaks to children, feels inviting, represents the community, offers the right materials, encourages exploration, and conveys endless possibilities. If you’re interested in learning more, check out my workshop for detailed guidance and practical steps in Curiosity Driven Spaces.

By focusing on the Third Teacher, you can create a learning environment that not only supports but inspires young learners. Happy teaching, my fellow educator!