|
Hey Reader!
Have you ever heard the phrase “the environment as the 3rd teacher?” This is a common phrase in the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood learning. I think we would all agree that our environment makes a difference in how we feel, how we behave, and how we interact with others.
Imagine walking into a traditional cathedral-style sanctuary with stained glass windows, a pipe organ, and a giant pulpit.
- How would you feel? Maybe a feeling of reverence, or respect; maybe awe-struck at the beauty of it; maybe curious at the windows or the woodwork; maybe even a little uncomfortable or self-conscious because you wore jeans and a t-shirt rather than something more dressy!
- How would you behave? You would probably walk slowly and carefully; you’d most likely use a quieter voice; you’d be careful what you touched and where you sat.
- How would you interact with others? You’d probably talk quietly or not at all; your interactions would be subdued rather than boisterous.
Now imagine walking into the trampoline place in your city (in McKinney, there’s one called Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park).
- How would you feel? Overcome by the smell of bare feet and sweaty kids? Maybe a little nervous if you’re in charge of young kids; maybe excited about trying out some tricks on the trampolines;
- How would you behave? You might talk loudly just to be heard over the music and the noise of others laughing and having fun; you’d be curious and look around for a place to leave your things or maybe a meeting place for you and your kiddos; careful about where you sit because who knows what might be stuck there?
- How would you interact with others? Your voice would be elevated just to be heard; you’d be laughing and giggling (hopefully) as you had fun; you’d practice tricks and work out muscles that you didn’t know you had!
You see how no one had to tell you to be quieter in the sanctuary or louder in the trampoline park? No had to give you the rundown of what you should touch or not touch. You just “knew” it.
The same is true in our classrooms. Many of you are preparing to head back into your classrooms in the next couple of weeks. Before you spend all your money at the teacher store, answer these questions for your classroom:
- What will children feel? Will they feel excitement about invitations to play that you’ve set up? Anxiety because everything is out of reach and sterile? Curious to explore the different areas of the room? Overwhelmed because there’s stuff everywhere?
- How will children behave? Will they walk in calmly because the room feels calm and inviting to them? Will they be fearful because nothing feels like it was made for them – everything is for adults? Will they talk loud because the music is drowning out the sounds of conversation?
- How will children interact with others? Have you set up spaces that encourage conversation, problem-solving, collaboration? Are there plenty of supplies so it doesn’t feel scarce? Is there a place for quiet contemplation and also places for boisterous play?
As you stand in your doorway this week, I want to challenge you to really answer these questions honestly from a child’s perspective. I love a great “theme” from the teacher store, too, but I wonder if that’s really for the adults in the room or if it actually helps young children feel at ease in a classroom? If you’re really brave…get down on your knees and look around – this is actually the perspective of children. Does your environment need a little revamp? What can you do this week to make that happen?
Cheering you on this week!
-Your ECCN team
P.S. I had a great conversation with Dr. Sharon Jackson recently about this same topic! Listen in by clicking the links below.
 |
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
|
