Philosophy
The Reggio Emilia Approach places the natural development of the child and the relationship the child shares with the environment at the center of it's philosophy. Every child is viewed as strong, capable and resilient; rich with wonder and knowledge. Children are driven by their curiosity to learn about the world they live in. It is not a formal model with defined "methods" but rather an approach that can be adapted to fit the needs of different communities. For this reason, each Reggio-inspired classroom will be a little different.
Some of the fundamental principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach are:
Some of the fundamental principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach are:
- Children are capable of constructing their own learning- they are driven by their interets
- Children form an understanding of themselves and their place in the world through their interactions with others- strong focus on social collaboration
- Children are communicators- children are encouraged to use language to investigate and explore
- The environment is the third teacher- every material is considered for its purpose and children use authentic materials and tools
- The adult is a mentor and guide- the Reggio Emilia Approach is a child-led project approach based on the child's interests
- An emphasis on documenting children's thoughts- thoughts are made visible through photographs, drawings, transcripts, etc.
- The Hundred Languages of Children- children use may different ways to show their understanding and express themselves
Classroom Environment
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Reggio Teachers
The Reggio teacher must be a keen observer, documenter, and partner in the learning process.
The teacher is considered a co-learner and collaborator not just an instructor; they are an active participant in the classroom.
Teachers allow students to:
The teacher is considered a co-learner and collaborator not just an instructor; they are an active participant in the classroom.
Teachers allow students to:
- ask their own questions and test their own hypothesis
- explore possibilities and view contradictions as opportunities to discuss and debate
- use symbolic languages to represent thoughts and hypothesis
- communicate ideas to others
- revisit concepts and ideas to reorganize and construct new meaning.
Role of the Parents
Parents and other family members are a very important part of the Reggio Emilia approach. They are viewed as partners, collaborators and advocates for their children. Teachers respect parents as the child's first teacher and involve parents in every aspect of the curriculum. In fact, many parents incorporate Reggio Emilia principles in their parenting and home life. According to Loris Malaguzzi, parent participation enables a communication network that leads to fuller and more reciprocal knowledge, as well as to a more effective, shared search for the best educational methods, content, and values.