An
Innovative Approach to Early Childhood Education
An
innovative and inspiring approach to the early education of young learners is
the Reggio Emilia Approach. The roles of
the children and the teachers within this approach are different from those of a
traditional teaching environment.
Students are characterized as strong, capable, and deeply curious
learners, in regards to their world and their place in the world. Communities that undertake this method of
learning need to take the unique needs and interests of the community into
consider. Implementation of this
methodology should never completely replicate another community, due to the
vast needs of each group of people.
The history
behind this approach is based on philosophical principles and extensive experience. Reggio educators have been influenced by the
ideas of Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, and the most recent research in child
development. Originally, the ideas
behind this method stem from Northern Italy.
There is a set of Fundamental Principles that consist of: Children are
capable of constructing their won learning (driven by their interests),
Children form an understanding of themselves and their place in the world
through their interactions with others (children search out the knowledge
through their own investigations), Children are communicators (children are
encouraged to use language to investigate and explore), The environment is the
teachers (the environment is recognized for its potential to inspire children),
The adult is a mentor and guide (role of an adult is meant to observe), An
emphasis on documenting children’s thoughts (emphasis on carefully displaying
and documenting children’s thoughts and progression of thinking), and The
hundred languages of children (children use many different ways to show their
understanding and express their thoughts and creativity). These principles are applied to pre-schools
and early childhood settings but can be adapted to the home as well.
Within this
approach is a strong foundation that consists of students, teachers, parents,
and the community. Children are viewed
as competent, curious, full of knowledge, and focused on making connections
with the world around them. Teachers are
expected to be aware of children’s potentials, and build the classroom work and
environment around the young learner’s experiences. There is an emphasis on collaboration and
cooperation during learning, and all individuals involved in the education
process. In order to continuously improve
the system that supports the school community, the children, teachers and
families all work together.
The Reggio
Emilia Approach is a student based learning environment that focuses on
specific needs between the community and the students within that
community. I believe in individualized
learning that is age appropriate, and builts upon guidance and
relationships. Each person within this
methodology has an important role in the development of young children. This approach has made me think about the
role of a child in their own education and discovering their place in the
world. Another idea that this method
reiterated for me personally, is the need for a strong collaboration between
the teacher, child, family, and community.
The collaboration between these important individuals can provide early
learners with a strong educational foundation.
This approach intrigues my interest and I plan to continue my research
to learn more information about these ideas.
There are many professional development initiatives in North American
that involve the Reggio Emilia Approach.
My goal is to learn more about this approach and possibly find research
to improve my practice.
Questions:
How can you use this approach with the restricted time within
the classroom?
What are the best ways to communicate with families that are
not as involved in their child’s education?
How do you get people “on board” for this type of educational
approach?
How can a teacher effectively monitor and/or grade skills
based on this approach?
Resources:
An Everyday
Story Project-based and Reggio inspired living and learning. (2013).
Retrieved from
Driscoll, A., & Nagel, N.G.
(2013). Reggio Emilia Approach. Retrieved
from http://www.education.com/reference/article/reggio-emilia-approach/
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center.
(2014). What is the Reggio Emilia Approach?
Retrieved from http://childdiscoverycenter.org/non-traditional-classroom/what-is-the-reggio emilia-approach/
North American Reggio Emilia Alliance. (2013). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from
