Glen Education St John's 

Placed-Based Pedagogy

Janet Stamp, Early Childhood Teacher

Reggio Emilia is a place in Italy where much research has been done concerning how young children learn best. The Reggio Emilia approach recognizes and values the physical environment as the ‘third teacher’. This idea of the ‘third teacher ’is now quality area 3 from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

When I started working at Glen St John’s kindergarten back in 2014 I was struck by the beautiful feel of the kindergarten. The room is large, light filled and airy. We have many plants around the room which is a wonderful way of bringing some of the outdoors, indoors. There is a mixture of floorboards, carpet and rugs to suit different play spaces and as a parent once said to me about the outdoor environment ‘it’s like a fairy land’.

With large indoor and outdoor spaces we collaboratively work to create spaces to inspire learning, invite curiosity and foster a sense of belonging. We are always conscious of having a balance of experiences. In the room we have areas dedicated to arts/crafts, books, literacy, playdough, blocks and building, puzzles, imagination and role play, the natural world, Indigenous Culture and the Global Community. In the outdoor environment we have designated spaces for sand play, digging patch, swings, climbing, worm farm and vegetable garden beds. Within these dedicated spaces we make occasional changes as children’s interests and needs evolve.

Wherever a space is set up learning is facilitated. Our ‘toast and chats’ area enables children to learn independence skills as they butter their own toast and wash their own plate. It also provides an opportunity for the children to learn social skills as they sit together in small groups.

A recent example of a space being set up to inspire learning about the natural world is our sea creatures, sand, shells and water area. 

Many of the children talk about what they have seen at the local beaches or at beaches on their holidays. We have extended this interest partly by setting up this area.

We foster a sense of belonging to the kindergarten community through our Family Photos Board, and to the wider community through our Global Community Board. 

Please note the world map, photos of family connections to particular countries, books, and dolls representing other cultures and countries.

As a team, we strive to create spaces using natural materials, spaces to inspire creativity, to include everyone, to appreciate Indigenous and Other cultures, sustainability, and always to facilitate learning. Our environment at Glen St Johns Kindergarten provides numerous opportunities for children to explore, experiment, communicate and collaborate.