In the Reggio Emilia approach, the environment is more than just a backdrop for learning — it is considered the third teacher. Alongside parents and educators, the classroom environment itself plays an active role in shaping how children think, explore, and grow.

When designed with intention, the environment communicates to children: You are capable. You are respected. Your ideas matter.

This guide will explain what the “environment as the third teacher” means, why it matters, and how you can create a classroom that inspires curiosity, independence, and joy.

Colorado State University Early Childhood Center, Fort Collins, Colorado

What Does “Environment as the Third Teacher” Mean?

Reggio educator Lella Gandini put it best:

“In order to act as an educator for the child, the environment has to be flexible: it must undergo frequent modification by the children and teachers in order to remain up-to-date and responsive to their needs to be protagonists in constructing their knowledge.”

In other words, the environment is not static — it evolves with the children. A well-designed Reggio-inspired classroom is flexible, beautiful, and filled with authentic materials that invite exploration and collaboration.

Photo credit: Robin and Toni Christie from Childspace Workshop in New Zealand

Values Shaped by the Environment

The classroom environment reflects the values of the community. As you design your space, ask: What do I want children (and adults) to experience here?

For children, the environment can communicate:

Cozy, home-like comfort
Connection to family (photos, artifacts, stories)
Opportunities for independence (child-level shelves, accessible tools)
A sense of challenge and accomplishment
Respect for positive relationships and collaboration

For adults, the environment can support:

Beauty and aesthetics — inspiring, uncluttered, welcoming spaces
Time and space for reflection and documentation
Respect and belonging as part of a professional community
Comfort and collaboration with colleagues and families

When environments reflect shared values, both children and teachers thrive.

Nature Pedagogy Study Tour with Clair Warden, Scotland

Principles of Environment as the Third Teacher

Educators like Susan Fraser identify several Reggio principles of environment design that bring classrooms to life :

Aesthetics – uncluttered shelves, natural light, plants, neutral colors, and displays of children’s artwork
Transparency – open shelving, windows, prisms, and light tables to let ideas (and light) shine through
Active Learning – journals, child-level displays, and open-ended tools that invite reflection and action
Flexibility – movable furniture, rotating materials, and evolving spaces based on children’s interests
Collaboration – protected spaces and large, open-ended materials for group problem-solving
Reciprocity – opportunities for families to contribute materials or reflections that shape the classroom
Bringing the Outdoors In – natural loose parts, fresh flowers, and plants to ground children in nature
Relationships – photos, documentation, and materials that highlight kindness, conflict resolution, and friendship

These principles ensure the environment is not just functional, but truly inspirational.

Practical Ways to Design Your Classroom

Ready to bring these principles into your own setting? Here are some practical ideas to try:

Use natural light whenever possible; add lamps or twinkle lights for warmth.
Keep shelves open and organized, with fewer items and more white space.
Incorporate mirrors to provide unique perspectives and reflections.
Rotate materials regularly to respond to children’s evolving interests.
Display documentation — children’s words, drawings, and projects — at their eye level.
Create cozy spaces where children can take risks, rest, or connect with friends.
Bring in loose parts like pinecones, shells, or recycled objects for endless play possibilities.

Small changes can have a big impact on how children feel and interact in your classroom.

Final Thoughts

The idea of environment as the third teacher reminds us that space itself is an active participant in learning. A classroom can inspire wonder, foster independence, and reflect the values of its community — or it can distract, overwhelm, and stifle curiosity.

When you design intentionally, you create an environment that says to every child: You belong here. You are capable. Your voice matters.

If you’d like more support in designing inspiring spaces, our Reggio-Inspired Educator’s Course dives deeper into environment design, documentation, and practical tools for bringing this philosophy to life.

About the Authors:

Megan Haynes and Priscilla Patti are two highly experienced and qualified early childhood educators who are passionate about teaching in a Reggio-Inspired way. They firmly believe in its transformative power in early childhood education.The authors share firsthand accounts of their experiences utilizing the Reggio Emilia Approach in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Environment as the Third Teacher: What It Means + Why It Matters