The Third Teacher
Friedrich Froebel, the founder of kindergarten, emphasized the importance of nature in children’s learning, seeing the outdoors as essential for sensory exploration, creativity, and self-discovery. Progressive educators highlight how environments—both built and natural—shape experiences and understanding. The “third teacher” ideas are also shaped through the Reggio Emilia approach.
When considering nature as the third teacher, the outdoors provides a dynamic and ever-changing space where natural light, shifting shadows, textures, and seasonal transformations invite wonder and curiosity. Elements like dappled sunlight filtering through leaves, the roughness of tree bark, the softness of moss, or the color shifts in the sky offer an aesthetic richness that engages children’s senses and deepens their relationship with the world.
Thoughtfully incorporating outdoor elements—beautiful found objects, varied surfaces, and the natural interplay of light and movement—creates an environment that is alive, responsive, and deeply influential in a child’s learning journey.
We are incorporating all this in our pursuit of making a more inclusive and welcoming environment at 8204 Flower Avenue. Our little bungalow will flower, turning toward and following the sun, opening out to our play yard for exploration, connection, and discovery.
The ever-changing light will dance across our spaces, inviting children to notice the warmth of the sun, the cool shade of a tree, and the shifting patterns of clouds above as the play and learn outdoors.
Natural materials, textured surfaces, and found objects enrich their play, encouraging curiosity and creativity. The neighborhood will hold them close.
Hands press into cool earth, feet trace the roughness of wooden beams, and eyes follow the gentle sway of leaves in the breeze. By embracing the outdoors as an essential part of learning, we are creating a space that not only nurtures children's growth but also deepens their sense of belonging, ensuring that every child feels welcomed, seen, and inspired.
