Supermodernity and the Early-Years Learning Environment

Making the familiar strange is a recognizable aim of social research. The ‘enabling environment’ is a key area of interest for early-years practitioners. However, the early-years learning environment with its furnishings, resources and displays is familiar territory that can pass unnoticed precisely because of its familiarity. Can concepts of ‘non-place’ and Supermodernity provide an alternative yet accessible perspective that defamiliarizes the early-years setting? Do the binary themes of transit-residence, interchange-crossroads, passenger-traveller and housing estate-monument have parallels in early-years settings? The presentation will focus on examples from Reception/Nursery settings in the context of Auge’s concepts of ‘non-place’ and Supermodernity used as orienting concepts. Particular attention will be given to classroom displays and partition screens as a way of focusing attention on a range of themes including semi-private and relational space related to principles of early-years practice. The presentation will reflect on micro-events bringing spatial concepts into focus.