Work

Lefebvre’s spatial triad for children: a teaching model for spatial thinking in the classroom

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This paper considers the teachings of spatial thinking in two Danish school interventions with children, ages 10–13 (2018–2021), by turning Lefebvre’s spatial triad into a research-based exercise. Based on children’s responses, this paper concludes that, first, by allowing children to include their own spatial experiences, they can resonate with the complex ways in which the perceived, conceived and lived spaces, according to Lefebvre, are produced and reproduced. Second, while the conceived space of Lefebvre addresses the difficult premise that every space is always intended, it adds crucial insights into how spaces work conceptually as well as it helps children to work with spatial data. The results indicate that Lefebvre’s spatial triad can be used didactically to develop children’s spatial thinking in the classroom and in urban planning projects.

Source: International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education

DOI: 10.1080/10382046.2023.2298074

Authors: Mette Mechlenborg, Maja de Neergaard

Institutions: Aalborg University, Roskilde University

Language: English

Topic: Geography Education and Pedagogy

Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: green

Funder: Aalborg Universitet