From enabling environments to environments that enable: notes for theoretical innovation at the intersection between environments, learning and children’s agency

Abstract

This article invites reflection on the features of environments that can enable children’s sense of self, well-being and self-esteem. Environments that enable refer to contexts that acknowledge children’s capability to construct their own social worlds. The dimensions of practice that contribute towards the development of environments that enable are considered. The article argues that the quality of learning is related to access to, and quality of, experiences and opportunities to explore and reflect upon, developing ideas from the Montessori approach and Malaguzzi’s Reggio Model