Outdoor spaces for little adventurers
The primary focus of “3rd teacher nature scapes” is, integrating nature play into the school playground & home environment,
focusing on early childhood development, aimed at ages, 2 years - 8 years.
“3rd teacher nature scapes” has originated, by fusing the “Reggio Emilia” principles and “Nature scapes” principles.
- Reggio Emilia concept of 3’rd teacher”: The environment is the 3rd teacher”.
- “Nature scapes principles” : Natural playgrounds that are defined as: “ a space with as little man- made components as possible”.
3rd teacher natures scapes is a nature based Playscapes design company, affiliated to the company, Young Landscape Design Studio, headed by Sonita Young.
Young Landscape Design Studio has been specializing in the design of exceptional exterior spaces, over the past 6 years and have won numerous Design awards.
Young Landscape Design Studio and 3rd teacher nature scapes are based in Gauteng, South Africa.
About us
How it all started
Under the banner of the company, Young Landscape Design, we received requests to assist Pre-schools, Small Playgroups, Nursery schools and Special needs schools, by integrating elements of nature into their playgrounds.
Having worked with these schools, created the realization that there was a need for a specialized Nature Playscapes Design company, focusing on Early Childhood development and the benefits of Nature play.
The aspect of safety in the garden, is very often overlooked, with parents and schools alike, not having sufficient plant knowledge, in respects to poisonous and non-poisonous plants.
Careful selection of plants are imperative, all plants selected to enhance the playscape environment, must be non-poisonous and hardy at the same time, to withstand the onslaught of busy little explorers.
Also, being a mother to a Pre-schooler, I saw the importance and benefits of free play and connecting with nature, through nature play, during the early childhood developmental years.
A huge amount of research has been conducted, over several years, based on early childhood development and the way children learn.
“Children learn best through doing – active learning – and play is the best way of offering them these hands-on experiences.
Whether reconstructing real situations or building imaginary worlds, children can develop their thinking, language, imagination, speaking and listening skills through creative play, which prepares them for communicating and interacting effectively with others.”
Internationally, the trend towards alternate ways of learning, has been growing tremendously, with many schools and parents embraced and adopting the concepts of nature play, outdoor classrooms and child centered learning.
This has seen the birth of many Playscape and Nature play based, design companies internationally, but none in South Africa.
Therefore, the birth of “3rd teacher nature scapes”,
Why the need for a playscapes design company?
We introduce a wide range of open-ended play options that allow children to be creative and use their imagination.
We primarily using indigenous, non-poisonous, hardy plants, to encourage play and interaction.