School Journey as a Third Place: Interdisciplinarity, Threshold and Transitions Theories, Methods and Experiences Around the World

Journeys to school are important time and space transitions between homes and schools for children worldwide. This book comprises various chapters providing insights into children’s experiences of this essential aspect of their lives and schooling experience. From an interdisciplinary and intercultural perspective, leading international scholars focus on how children from very different contexts travel between their homes and their schools and how this transitional space impacts their daily lives and interactions with their environment. An overview of different school journeys is covered, laying out the contours of a child-friendly and context-responsive transition to and from school.

The way to and from school becomes a third place for some children who develop meaningful social and environmental relationships, mix up with children who belong to different groups, learn, relax, and so on. As genuine social actors, children invest one of the last spaces of freedom they are given to apprehend their environment. What is specific to this almost universal experience, and what varies depending on various individuals or contexts? How do children themselves act, impact and appreciate the journey to and from school?

Various studies from a wide range of disciplines and using different methods have highlighted benefits and risks related to children’s journey to school, providing insightful data regarding modes of transportation, health and wellbeing issues, school organisation and legislation, safety or urban development and so on. Research has also shown how this journey can support positive links between the child and his or her social and natural environment. Realities, however, vary immensely depending on the context. Some children accompanied to school by adults barely have the opportunity to interact with their environment or benefit from some welcome physical activity after sitting for several hours in class. Conversely, others walk long distances or even face relatively serious hazards during their journey.

Zoe Moody is Professor at the University of Teacher Education Valais and Senior Research Associate at Centre for Children’s Rights Studies, University of Geneva.
Ayuko Berchtold-Sedooka, PhD, is Senior Research Associate at the University of Geneva and Expert in educational resource production, at éducation21.

Sara Camponovo is PhD in educational science at the University of Geneva.

Philip D. Jaffé is Professor at the Center for Children’s Rights Studies, University of Geneva and a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Frédéric Darbellay is Associate Professor at the University of Geneva and Head of the Inter- and Transdisciplinary Unit at the Centre for Children’s Rights Studies.