Reflections on our Nexus and ISN projects: Environment

In June we completed our outdoor learning project in the Nexus International School Nursery/ Kindergarten playground and we have just completed our outdoor learning project at the International School of Nice and are very much still buzzing from what we've learnt.

We wanted to focus on one of the bigger areas which is environment.

Building on our growing awakening, these two projects confirm our conviction that motivation, progression and deep learning are intrinsic within the child WHEN the environment allows it. Our role then as educators is to OBSERVE the child at work to interpret where their curiosity is taking them in order to furnish them with the resources they need to take each next step. We also PROVOKE by adding unexpected resources. Each and every time the child will always do something that we couldn’t have predicted and that is why we must stand back and let the magic happen.

So what is this environment? It is resource-rich and open-ended. It challenges, awes, inspires, provokes and even disturbs - a great example being the Living Organisms atelier at the Loris Malaguzzi Centre. See photos below:

The environment seeks to reach and enliven all the senses.