In education circles, the term ‘Reggio Emilia’ is very well known for being a very successful approach to early learning, yet many parents are unfamiliar with Reggio Emilia, and with that in mind, here is a brief description of the Reggio Emilia learning approach.
Reggio Emilia is the name of a small town in Italy, where, after WWII, a local teacher, with the help of some parents, developed a form of early learning that he felt would offer young children opportunities to develop in all aspects.
The Basics of the Reggio Emilia Approach
The curriculum is based solely on the interests of the children, and a core concept of this early learning approach is that every child you have the opportunity to express themselves with art, dance movement and language, while also developing a lifelong love of learning. If you are looking for such a school, there is a kindergarten in Bangkok that uses the Reggio Emilia approach as its basis, and they are fully equipped with an amazing facility with beautiful grounds.
Reggio Emilia Perspectives
Every child is viewed as a valuable member of society and all are encouraged to enquire about the world around them. The concept is that every child should have some control over their learning and should learn through experiences, using sight, sound, touch, movement, language and observation.
The Role of the Teachers
In a Reggio Emilia program, the teacher takes on the role of facilitator, rather than one who instructs, and guides the children to their objectives, while always encouraging them to question. It is normal for a teacher to stay with a group of children for 2-3 years, in order to develop a deeper relationship and lesson plans are based entirely on the children’s interests. The teachers are highly trained in strategies that enable the children to work things out for themselves and they will collaborate to create a dynamic learning environment that allows the children to learn at their own pace, with their own interests at heart.
Parental Participation
The Reggio Emilia approach believes that the parents and the wider community have a role to play in children’s education, and activities are organised that involve both parents and community members. It is often the case when parents become actively involved in the kid’s projects, and the school likes to have close, regular contact with all parents.
The Importance of the Environment
The environment is a critical aspect of the Reggio Emilia approach, as it is believed that in the right environment, optimum learning will occur. The décor would have natural elements, with soft pastel colours that stimulate the children, and the children’s artwork would be posted for everyone to see.
Any school that follows the Reggio Emilia approach is committed to providing the tools the children need to reach their fullest potential, and if you are looking for a place where your child will be given the perfect start in life, you couldn’t find a better approach than that of Reggio Emilia.
