Review of the Literature on the Reggio Emilia Approach to Education with a Focus on the Principle of the Environment as the Third Teacher

Abstract

This review of literature investigates the Reggio Emilia approach to education with a focus on the principle of the environment as the third teacher. A brief history of the Reggio Emilia approach and an explanation of its 12 guiding principles (collaboration, the image of the child, environment as a third teacher, relationships, transparency, documentation, pedagogical documentation, provocation, progettazione, one hundred languages of children, respect, and reciprocity) are explored. The review then dives deeper into the principle of the environment as the third teacher. Eight environment principles (aesthetics, active learning, collaboration, transparency, bringing the outdoors in, flexibility, relationship, and reciprocity) that need to be addressed when creating an environment that acts as the third teacher are examined. When creating an environment that acts as a third teacher one must rely on the support of each of the principles as a whole, not individually.