Reggio Emilia

[kendallina]

Last fall one of the children said " I wish I could go inside of my body so I can see what it looks like"

We ran with it. By the time we completed this (over three months) the children could tell you about their heart, how it works and what it does. They learned about bones, including what happens when one gets broken and they were provided REAL cast materials and casted each other as well as dolls and broken sticks. They could tell you the function of the brain and what it looks like. Our environment became a docotrs office, an xray techs room, etc. We provided them with REAL medical tools and they also learned about the importance of proper nutrition, exercise, etc. There is so much detail I don't have time to share it all, but by the time we ended the study (over 3 months after we started) these children were like little med experts!

We ALWAYS start with a comment or question from a child or group of children. Then we use a web to plan ideas for each area of the program. Then we decide what we need to accomplish our goals. Then we enlist parents to bring in materials - for instance with this particular project our EMT parent brought in xrays and cast materials, a DR. parent brought in tools and skeletons, etc. and was a guest visitor for the children to ask questions and discuss things with.. We continue the project for as long as the children are interested and usually end up branching off into other projects along the way.

I document with LOTS of pictures. And, artwork - lots of writing and artwork. The children will then dictate theirt stories to me and I'll write it on a separate paper, make a frame and hang it up.

We are currently learning about artic animals and global warming. A child saw on television that the polar ice is melting and asked me "what happens to the polar bears when all the ice melts?"

Often times we have more than one study happening, as different groups of children have differing interests.

Use your imagination when planning and preparing.....children are capable of learning far more than we give thme credit for, as long as we provide them the resources!

Thanks Crystal, that's a great example! Do you web with the children?
I used to when I had a larger group at a center, but I only have 4-5 now and 2 aren't very verbal (still young) and the oldest is only 3.5. So, I'm having a hard time getting much out of them (*crickets...*), even when it's topics they're interested in.

As I write this, I think part of my problem is that I don't web right away when they're talking about it, I usually wait until the following week when we can more easily start a new 'theme'. I know, not very reggio, but I'd hate to plan for a week, then scrap it automatically when they start going in a new direction.

Also, my kiddos are only here 2 mornings/week, so it seems like they don't necessarily stay with an interest for very long, which I think is partly (mostly?) my fault.

I love that you talk about "studying" a topic. You used those words in another post and that's how I need to think about it. Right now I'm mostly just doing activities about a topic, but I don't feel like we're really 'studying' it. Thanks so much!

This post is mostly just me thinking aloud but I would love to hear what anyone's thoughts/suggestions are for me...this is what I really miss about having real life coworkers!

[Crystal]

For those who asked about conferences, I don't know of any right now, but I am currently designing seminars for our mentoring program and will begin presenting them sometime around summer. When I do, I'll let you know about it, and I'll gladly send you my powerpoints and handouts.

Another thing I recommend is checking around for any programs that practice Reggio and visiting their program. Most are more than happy to allow you to visit and observe, if they are truly Reggio

[Crystal]

Thanks Crystal, that's a great example! Do you web with the children?
I used to when I had a larger group at a center, but I only have 4-5 now and 2 aren't very verbal (still young) and the oldest is only 3.5. So, I'm having a hard time getting much out of them (*crickets...*), even when it's topics they're interested in.

As I write this, I think part of my problem is that I don't web right away when they're talking about it, I usually wait until the following week when we can more easily start a new 'theme'. I know, not very reggio, but I'd hate to plan for a week, then scrap it automatically when they start going in a new direction.

Also, my kiddos are only here 2 mornings/week, so it seems like they don't necessarily stay with an interest for very long, which I think is partly (mostly?) my fault.

I love that you talk about "studying" a topic. You used those words in another post and that's how I need to think about it. Right now I'm mostly just doing activities about a topic, but I don't feel like we're really 'studying' it. Thanks so much!

This post is mostly just me thinking aloud but I would love to hear what anyone's thoughts/suggestions are for me...this is what I really miss about having real life coworkers!

Some times I web with the children, but not always. We do make lists together about EXACTLY what they want to know.....it's a chart with header:

Know Want To Know

Then we list what they already know and what they want to explore and web from there.

Yes, study. They are called "small group studies" small group because usually only part of the whole group has a REAL interest in the topic. So the interested group studies the topic, then they go back to the whole group during group gathering (what we call circle time) and at random times and share what they have learned and what they are currently working on.

[melskids]

For those who asked about conferences, I don't know of any right now, but I am currently designing seminars for our mentoring program and will begin presenting them sometime around summer. When I do, I'll let you know about it, and I'll gladly send you my powerpoints and handouts.

Another thing I recommend is checking around for any programs that practice Reggio and visiting their program. Most are more than happy to allow you to visit and observe, if they are truly Reggio

i would LOVE that!!!

we don't have ANY reggio programs locally, at all. (just a few montessori, that's all)

[Crystal]

i would LOVE that!!!

we don't have ANY reggio programs locally, at all. (just a few montessori, that's all)

You got it. As soon as I am done I'll send it to you. I'd love some feedback before I actually present it!!!

[joy]

reggio emilia

I have studied in an ECE graduate program the Reggio approach.
"We envision a world where all children are honored and respected for their potential, their capabilities, and their humanity." This comes from the NAREA website. The focus is on the child. The environment is considered the "3rd teacher. This means that it has an enormous impact on the learning that takes place. Walls should be pale, soft pastels, plain, no commercially purchased charts, things are handmade by children, teachers and parents. The community and the parents are involved in the education of the children. Children do not come to school as empty vessels for teachers to fill with facts, but are viewed as capable, able to build theories and competent learners. Teachers work alongside the children. Interest areas are intended to address the various intelligences of the childen.

Representational Development is used to integrate the graphic arts to measure linguistic, cognitive and social develpment. Photos are displayed, with documentation of the conversations that take place as the children explore. Reggio uses an Emergent Curriculum, which is based on the interests of the childen. Project work is part of the emergent curriculum and teachers research the topics that interest the children, meet to discuss materials needed for the project, what direction the project may take, decide to include parents or members of the community, and the project may last a week or an entire year.

Collaboration is an important concept as children work in groups to promote group membership. Teachers also show that each child is unique and respected.

Materials are not plastic, wood and natural materials are used in the clasroom. Aesthetics are stressed and recycled materials are plentiful. There is an assortmet of high quality paintbruses, markers, and.colored pencils. Art is open ended, easels are always available, and children are encouraged to use their creativity rather than create art that is directed by the teacher.

The child is seen as a miracle, unlike any other, and the classroom is a beautiful learning space, furniture is arranged systematically, plants, (check for non-toxic) and the beauty of nature exists inside the class and appreciated outdoors. Children climb trees, smell flowers, study leaves, collect rocks, and learn to love nature. Reggio inspired classrooms, inspired is used for schools outside of Italy, listen to each child's melody.

Trainings are avaiable, and certainly, visiting Reggio Emilia is a true way to see the program. There are centers throughout the world. I beleve it is a program worth exploring.

[Country Kids]

What do you do if your kids never show interest in anything? We do MGT and they love it but we are learning about one whole thing for a month but its not like someone says I just love trains. I have 2 and 3 year olds and they really don't show much interest in much besides playing and what we are learning through MGT.

[hoopinglady]

The Reggio approach is completely irrelevant in this culture...at least in mine.

It is beautiful inspiration, to be sure.

Firstly, collaboration is not going to happen in my context because, for now, I work alone. You need a strong staff of passionate educators as well as a cook and preferably a resident artist.

Also, something I've considered is that early education is valued by the entire community there. Here it is barely noticed or valued at all. There it is built into the school system, here it is open market.

I have learned a ton and taken a ton of inspiration from many types of preschools. Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio inspired, traditional, progressive, play based, etc etc.

[Blackcat31]

The Reggio approach is completely irrelevant in this culture...at least in mine.

It is beautiful inspiration, to be sure.

Firstly, collaboration is not going to happen in my context because, for now, I work alone. You need a strong staff of passionate educators as well as a cook and preferably a resident artist.

Also, something I've considered is that early education is valued by the entire community there. Here it is barely noticed or valued at all. There it is built into the school system, here it is open market.

I have learned a ton and taken a ton of inspiration from many types of preschools. Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio inspired, traditional, progressive, play based, etc etc.

Nice post!

I have also decided to implement a collaboration of many different approaches.

Each of them all seem to really require parents (and communtiy) to be really supportive of the work you and the children do and that does not seem to be a priority with today's parents.

I love little aspects of all the different approaches and right now am really stuck on Emergent Curriculum and Project Approach. But since the group of children I currently have will change in the coming year(s) as new ones enroll and older ones leave, I will probably switch it up again dependant on the group dynamics that currently exist.

[hoopinglady]

Exactly.

Part of the Reggio system is being with the same group of children for a few years. Waldorf students stay with the same teacher through age 7, I think.

Part of the beauty, too is having a staff of teachers with the same group who can sit around (drink wine, ) and discuss the children's work. Just having someone to speak with and springboard so often leads to really good ideas for me in furthering the kids' learning.

Maybe someday.

[joy]

reggio

Of course there are wonderful aspects of Reggio that would not be possible in North America. No, this is not R.E. Italy, but we can certainly extract the concepts that we can do with the children. It's not all or nothing. It's also not easy to transform your style as a teacher to match the Reggio model. It takes time, some ingenuity and desire. Let's focus on what we CAN do, rather what we cannot do.

[hoopinglady]

Of course there are wonderful aspects of Reggio that would not be possible in North America. No, this is not R.E. Italy, but we can certainly extract the concepts that we can do with the children. It's not all or nothing. It's also not easy to transform your style as a teacher to match the Reggio model. It takes time, some ingenuity and desire. Let's focus on what we CAN do, rather what we cannot do.

Sure, I hear you.

Still, it's a cohesive system that is built around the fact that the community embraces ECE. It is built on the fact that those teachers are respected and supported in their efforts to be professionals. Also, built on years of study and practice. Without the foundation, the other components often do not work properly.

RE has been always been an inspiration for me, as have many other styles.

I become irritated at the, not only romanticizing of this cultures way, but the elitism that often goes with any certain given method.

I see all these copycat classrooms and wonder who is really playing there? Who is it really for?

I do applaud anyone who takes a step toward values such as "respecting the child" "environment as the third teacher" and "100 languages". Those are good solid values in my opinion. Those are also values that are found in nearly every other methodology founded on research in ECE.

[Sprouts]

For those who asked about conferences, I don't know of any right now, but I am currently designing seminars for our mentoring program and will begin presenting them sometime around summer. When I do, I'll let you know about it, and I'll gladly send you my powerpoints and handouts.

Another thing I recommend is checking around for any programs that practice Reggio and visiting their program. Most are more than happy to allow you to visit and observe, if they are truly Reggio

Sign me up please!!