Beyond Glitter: Creating Authentic Learning Environments in Early Education

As Back to School approaches and my Instagram feed fills with teachers preparing for the new school year, I find myself increasingly frustrated and disappointed. You might find it surprising to hear this from an educator, especially one who works with young preschool children. What bothers me immensely are popular teacher influencers who have retired from teaching who are now selling classroom content that doesn’t necessarily enhance children's learning and growth and isn't truly conducive to the learning environment yet advertise that their teacher content is a must have for the classroom!

It seems like there's a constant push for classrooms to be filled with bright, decorative items—cutesy posters, elaborate whiteboard designs, and lots of decorative borders. It's almost like walking into a scene from a Trolls movie with all the glitter and vibrant colors take over the screen. While these decorations may seem appealing, I worry they could potentially distract from what truly matters in early education: fostering genuine learning experiences that support children's development.

In the Reggio Emilia approach, they say the environment is a third teacher.

Now, I'm not a Reggio expert, however I totally buy into the idea that the space around us can either set the stage for learning or totally derail it.

During my journey in teaching, some of my favorite teacher friends taught me the importance of making my classroom feel like a second home—for me and my students. They emphasized how much time we spend in that space and how crucial it is for us to feel safe, cozy, inspired, and ready to teach, while our students need to feel safe to ask questions and dive into learning.

I've noticed something really heartwarming in my classroom as I have embraced this principle: my students have truly embraced the idea of our classroom being a home away from home. They often ask me to turn off the overhead lights and let in natural light, or to switch on our lamps for a cozier atmosphere. It's moments like these that remind me how important it is for our learning environment to feel comfortable and welcoming, just like a second home for all of us.

So, whether you're a fellow teacher or a parent educator, my advice as we gear up for the new school year is this: don't stress over making your classroom perfectly matchy-matchy and adorable.Instead, focus on creating a space that inspires you and your students with curiosity, and invites learning through meaningful questions and engaging provocations. That's where the real magic of education happens.

If you're looking for some classroom inspiration in creating authentic learning environments in Early Education here are some of my absolute favorite classrooms that I have gained inspiration from: