Principles of Reggio Emilia: The Classroom is the Third Teacher

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning

Walk into a Reggio Emilia daycare or preschool and you will notice something immediately: the space itself feels alive. Natural materials, thoughtful lighting, children’s artwork on the walls…every detail is intentional.

This is the principle of the environment as the “third teacher.” In the Reggio Emilia approach, the physical space children inhabit is considered as influential as the educators and families in their lives. When designed with care, the classroom becomes an active participant in learning. It sparks curiosity, supports independence, and communicates to children that their ideas and presence matter.

As Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, I see this principle shape our classrooms every day.

What Does It Mean for the Classroom to Be a Teacher?

In traditional settings, the environment is largely a backdrop. Desks are facing forward, and materials are out of reach. The Reggio Emilia approach asks us to think differently.

In a Reggio Emilia daycare or preschool, every element of the space is considered: the height of shelves, the quality of light, the materials on display, the pathways children use to move through the room. The environment communicates values, sparks curiosity, supports independence, and connects children to the natural world, all without a teacher saying a word.

The Elements of a Reggio Emilia-Inspired Environment

Light and natural materials

Light is one of the most important tools in a Reggio-inspired classroom. Natural light is prioritized wherever possible, and light tables or translucent materials invite children to explore shadows and color. Rather than plastic toys, you are more likely to find baskets of stones, wooden blocks, shells, and fabric. All are open-ended materials that do not prescribe a single use and allow children’s creativity to lead.

Documentation on the walls

In a Reggio Emilia preschool, walls are living records of children’s thinking. Photos of children at work, transcriptions of their conversations, and sketches are displayed at eye level, making learning visible and telling children that their process, not just their product, is worth preserving.

Spaces for many kinds of learning

A well-designed Reggio Emilia approach classroom contains spaces for different types of engagement: a quiet corner for reflection, an open area for collaborative building, an atelier stocked with art materials, and outdoor space connecting children to nature. This variety honors the fact that children have different learning styles and different needs on different days.

The Teacher’s Role in Designing the Space

Creating an environment that functions as a third teacher requires ongoing observation and responsiveness. In a Reggio Emilia approach preschool, educators regularly ask: What is this space communicating? Does it reflect children’s current interests and questions?

If children become fascinated with building, a teacher might introduce new structural materials and rearrange the space to support larger constructions. If an inquiry is unfolding, related documentation and materials appear on shelves, quietly inviting further investigation. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, our educators are trained to think of themselves as co-designers of the environment, not just occupants of it.

Why the Environment Matters for Child Development

The emphasis on environment in the Reggio Emilia approach is grounded in how young children actually learn. Children learn through their senses. They need to touch, manipulate, and observe. They learn through choice.

In a Reggio Emilia daycare or preschool, the quality of the environment is understood to be directly connected to the quality of children’s learning experiences. This is not a luxury. It is a core commitment.

What Families Can Look for in a Reggio-Inspired Classroom

If you are considering a Reggio Emilia preschool for your child, the environment is one of the most telling signs of a school’s commitment to the philosophy. Look for:

• Natural light and open-ended, natural materials throughout the space
• Children’s work and documentation displayed at their eye level
• Spaces designed for different types of engagement (quiet, collaborative, creative, etc.)
• An atelier or dedicated art space
• Outdoor space that connects children to the natural world

(Little Sunshine’s Playhouse takes pride in the environments we cultivate. This is one of our beautiful alcoves! Here, you may see teachers leading yoga classes or encouraging children to reenact one of their favorite stories.)

A Space That Honors Children

The concept of the classroom as the third teacher is, at its core, a statement of belief. It reflects the conviction central to the Reggio Emilia approach: that children deserve environments that take them seriously.

When a child walks into a Reggio Emilia daycare and finds beautiful materials, natural light, and their own thinking on the walls, they experience something important: they are valued here. At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, that is the feeling we work to create every single day. Because when children feel at home in their environment, everything else becomes possible.

If this article sparked your interest, there’s so much more to explore. Our About page dives deeper into how exceptional early education can nurture a child’s natural curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. You can even experience this approach for yourself at a Reggio Emilia preschool and daycare near you. We’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep learning together.

Keep reading about the seven principles of Reggio Emilia: 

(1) Children Are Active Participants in Their Learning

(2) Learning Thrives Through Collaboration

(3) Children are Natural Communicators

(4) The Classroom is the Third Teacher

(5) Teachers are Partners and Guides 

(6) Documentation is Communication 

(7) Parents are Partners in Learning