Reggio Emilia
Reggio nell'Emilia (US:, Italian: ; Emilian: Rèz; Latin: Regium Lepidi), usually referred to as Reggio Emilia or colloquially Reggio by its inhabitants, is a city in northern Italy, in the Emilia-Romagna region. It has about 171,944 inhabitants and is the main comune of the Province of Reggio Emilia.
What is the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching?
As in other ways, the Reggio Emilia approach is less about the surface look and more about what is really happening between kids, families and teachers. “A Reggio Emilia inspired environment is for the children that use it,” Meyers says. “It’s an environment that the child can affect and that tells each child they belong there.”
What is a Reggio inspired classroom?
It provides children with unique learning environments and tailored curricula based on their unique learning styles. A Reggio inspired classroom focuses on building the cognitive, social, language, creative, and physical skills that empower students to be knowledge bearers and researchers in their own learning experiences.
What is curriculum Reggio Emilia?
Curriculum codes to achieve etc, you know what it’s like. If you haven’t heard of the Reggio Emilia approach, it has been evident in early learning centres for some time now. It is the belief that children are born with amazing potential and come to our classroom with a wide range of abilities that we can foster.
What is a Reggio Emilia inspired environment?
“A Reggio Emilia inspired environment is for the children that use it,” Meyers says. “It’s an environment that the child can affect and that tells each child they belong there.” Meyers says it’s a priority to keep materials accessible and durable so children can explore in an open-ended way.
What is the Reggio Emilia method of teaching?
The Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy and pedagogy focused on preschool and primary education. This approach is a student-centered and constructivist self-guided curriculum that uses self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments.
What would you see in a Reggio classroom?
In a traditional Reggio classroom, you would find an atelier (creative expression area), loose parts, a sensory/sand play area, building area, writing center, math/numbers center, and a meeting area (in the larger school setting, this is called a piazza).
How are Reggio Emilia classrooms different from traditional classrooms?
In a traditional classroom setting, it is very teacher-centric, and teachers lead the class with a particular, predetermined curriculum. The Reggio Emilia philosophy, however, puts the child in control, so the classroom is child-centered where the teachers and children are working together in learning.
What are 2 key features of a Reggio Emilia approach to education?
Key Reggio Emilia Principles1)Children are capable to construct their own learning. ... 2)Children are collaborators and learn through interaction within their communities. ... 3)Children are natural communicators and should be encouraged to express themselves however they feel they can.More items...•
What's the difference between Reggio Emilia and Montessori?
Reggio Emilia focuses more on collaborative learning whereas Montessori focuses on independent learning. Reggio Emilia classrooms are more flexible and open-ended whereas Montessori areas are more structured. Reggio Emilia teachers are seen as partners and guides whereas Montessori teachers are seen as directors.
What are Reggio Emilia activities?
8 Reggio Emilia-inspired activities for outdoor learning and play1 | Autumn colour match. ... 2 | Clay face sculptures. ... 3 | Water play with animals. ... 4 | Bubble wrap painting. ... 5 | Shadow art. ... 6 | Painted pine cone decorations. ... 7 | Sheep shearing. ... 8 | Sound garden.
What are the 5 principles of Reggio Emilia?
Fundamental Principles of Reggio EmiliaChildren can construct their learning. ... Children learn their place in the world through interactions. ... A child's environment is also their teacher. ... The adult is their guide. ... Document your child's thoughts. ... Children have many languages.
What makes the Reggio Emilia program different from traditional preschool programs?
Unlike traditional elementary schools where the curriculum is extremely structured, a Reggio Emilia curriculum is flexible, hands-on, and largely interest-based. This approach allows children to guide their own learning experiences, based on their passions, interests, thoughts, and observations.
What are the benefits of the Reggio Emilia approach?
What Are The Benefits Of the Reggio Emilia Approach?A relaxed learning environment that encourages exploration.Teacher-student relationships that are rooted in respect.Students build social skills through a collaborative environment.A student-led approach allows consistent opportunities for problem-solving.More items...•
What is an example of Reggio Emilia approach?
In a Reggio Emilia school, teachers set up inviting spaces for children to enter and explore materials. This can be especially important for visual learners. For example, an arts & craft workspace should always be neat and stocked with all the necessary materials for children to exercise their skills.
What is the teacher's role in the Reggio Emilia classroom?
In the Reggio Emilia Approach, the teacher plays the role of facilitator. Educators are meant to provide opportunities for children to explore their interests and abilities. The goal for the teacher is to show children how to direct their own learning.
How do I create a Reggio inspired classroom?
Here are some key points:Provide knowledge, and help guide your students.Be a co-learner in their discovery.Listen, observe, document, and reflect.Provide stimulation of discovery through dialogue.Encourage your students to wonder and think.Develop students' own questions and questioning skills.More items...•
How would you implement Reggio Emilia in the classroom?
Here are some key points:Provide knowledge, and help guide your students.Be a co-learner in their discovery.Listen, observe, document, and reflect.Provide stimulation of discovery through dialogue.Encourage your students to wonder and think.Develop students' own questions and questioning skills.More items...
What are the 5 principles of Reggio Emilia?
Fundamental Principles of Reggio EmiliaChildren can construct their learning. ... Children learn their place in the world through interactions. ... A child's environment is also their teacher. ... The adult is their guide. ... Document your child's thoughts. ... Children have many languages.
How does Reggio Emilia support children's learning?
Unlike traditional elementary schools where the curriculum is extremely structured, a Reggio Emilia curriculum is flexible, hands-on, and largely interest-based. This approach allows children to guide their own learning experiences, based on their passions, interests, thoughts, and observations.
How is the Reggio Emilia approach used today?
Many preschools are adopting a child-guided curriculum that has its roots in the Reggio Emilia Approach. Today, directing your curriculum to match the specific interests of the children in your classroom is a common practice.
What is a studio teacher?
The Studio teacher (or Atelierista) works closely with other teachers and the children through the Studio, an intentional space containing materials and tools to pursue thinking and concepts. In addition to the larger Studio, Mini-studios are found in every Discovery. What is done with the materials is not art per se, because in the view of Reggio educators the children’s use of media is not a separate part of the curriculum but an integral part of the whole cognitive symbolic expression process of learning.
What is collaboration and cooperation in school?
Collaboration and cooperation are intentional in a school inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education . The entire system is designed to be connected and in relationship. Nothing is left to sit in isolation. Everything is alive and connected. Children, teachers and families join together to continually improve the system that supports our school community.
What is emergent curriculum?
Emergent Curriculum is a way of teaching and learning that requires teachers to observe and listen to the children. Teachers ask questions and listen for the children’s ideas, hypotheses and theories. After observing children in action, the teachers compare, discuss, and interpret their observations. Teachers plan activities, studies and long term projects in the classroom based on their observations. Teachers partner with children and the exchange of theories are referred to as the Cycle of Inquiry. Teachers use their interpretations, intentions and goals (social, emotional and academic) to make choices that they share with children. Learning is seen not as a linear process but as a spiraling progression.
What is Reggio Emilia themed?
Reggio Emilia inspired classrooms are not themed for particular topics. Rather, areas are themed for particular learning areas, such as a Maths Exploring Area or a Science Exploring Area. These areas can have items that relate to the topic you are currently teaching under the curriculum.
What is the philosophy of Reggio Emilia?
The Reggio Emilia philosophy believes in strong parent involvement in the classroom environment. Clear channels for the sharing of information, communication, cooperation and partnership with parents is vital.
Who said education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel?
Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel – Socrates
Can you be a teacher in Reggio Emilia?
It’s important to note that you don’t have to adopt the whole Reggio Emilia philosophy. You can’t train to be a Reggio Emilia teacher. You can attend workshops to understand the philosophy better, then you adapt the ideas to the needs of your learning community.
What are the skills that are often picked up in Reggio schools?
Skills often picked up in Reggio-inspired schools include working well in groups, problem solving, welcoming new experiences and exhibiting confident self expression.
What is the 3rd teacher in Reggio Emilia?
While most preschools try to look nice, with colorful toys carefully arranged in bins, a wall of books and an alphabet chart on the wall, Reggio Emilia schools take this to a new level. The classroom environment is very important, so much so that they call it “the third teacher.”
Does Reggio Emilia have a preschool?
At a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool, parents won’t be handed a sheet stating everything their children will learn. Even the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, don’t have a blueprint for exactly what to teach. Often called an “emergent” curriculum, it varies because it is led by children, with teachers actively seeking out their interests.
What is the Reggio Emilia approach?
The Reggio Emilia Approach is a core philosophy of preschool and primary education, which gives advocacy to children within the classroom. In other words, it puts children at the forefront of their learning experience. Their curiosity is encouraged, and their interests are used to inform their curriculum.
What makes Reggio Emilia so special?
What makes the Reggio Emilia approach so special is that it places heavy emphasis on the child’s voice. Children are seen as knowledge bearers and researchers, and teachers are there to support them in their self-directed learning process. In a Reggio Emilia classroom, children are encouraged to express themselves by engaging in a variety of projects, such as playtime, writing, drawing, and building. These activities – involving creativity and critical-thinking – reflect the “ Hundred Languages of Children ” that sit at the heart of the Reggio Emilia approach. The Hundred Languages of Children are metaphors for the ways in which young children express themselves through movement, touch, listening, observing, and interacting with others.
When was the first school in Reggio Emilia?
In the early 1960s, the first school centered around the Reggio Emilia approach opened. Within a couple decades, about half of the city’s younger children were immersed in a Reggio Emilia learning environment.
When did the interest in Reggio Emilia begin?
Interest in Reggio Emilia began to spread widely in the late 1980s following a local educational conference. People around the world, especially from America, began to ask, “What is Reggio Emilia?”, and interest and adoption of this groundbreaking educational model grew as a result. Since the early 1990s, the United States has recognized this child-directed learning approach as an excellent model of childhood education and development.
What is the Reggio Emilia approach?
The Reggio Emilia approach is an early education or preschool philosophy that uses four key principles to focus on a child's natural development. The approach is both child-centered and directed, taking the philosophy that learning must make sense to the student (even the youngest students) in order to be effective and meaningful.
What is the philosophy of Reggio Emilia?
The Reggio Emilia philosophy is based upon the following set of principles: Children must have some say over what they learn; additionally, the senses play a big role in the learning process. Children engage with their senses to help them learn and fully process something.
What is the purpose of co-construction in Reggio Emilia?
Important words to know if you are considering or if your child is enrolled in a Reggio Emilia school include: Co-construction is the method used to increase a child's learning while they are working with another child or other children. Co-construction allows for active dialogue and collaboration between the students and the teacher.
What is documenting in school?
Documentation is a way for children to display what they have learned at school. 4 It could be a project that a child has created or a series of drawings that have been created throughout the school year. Documentation is a way to show a child's progress in learning.
Where did the idea of educating children come from?
This unique approach to educating children was founded in the villages around Reggio Emilia, Italy after World War II. 3 Parents were looking for a way to teach their children and found that the early years of development were the best time to help children figure out who they are as individuals.
Who are the teachers in Reggio Emilia?
The villages in and around Reggio Emilia still follow these principles today. Students are taught by atelieristas, who are teachers with arts backgrounds.
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What is the role of the classroom in Reggio Emilia?
The classroom itself is seen as the “third teacher” in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and is extremely important in facilitating exploration, discovery, and research in the classroom. Reggio Emilia teachers tend to avoid purchasing plastic generic toys. Instead, they will use sensory and natural materials for children to interact with, such as buttons, shells, rocks, and wooden blocks. These sensory and natural materials engage senses and stimulate learning and the ability to revisit memories in the classroom and beyond.
What is the curriculum of a Reggio Emilia school?
The elementary curriculum at Riverside Magnet School (RMS), Goodwin University's Reggio Emilia inspired magnet school, challenges students to discover, invent, and dream through an educational philosophy that puts the child’s “self” and interests first. The guiding principles of Reggio Emilia at RMS include:
How is the Reggio Emilia philosophy enacted in the classroom environment?
The Reggio Emilia philosophy, however, puts the child in control, so the classroom is child-centered where the teachers and children are working together in learning. Most traditional classroom environments follow repetitive schedules and routines, however, in a Reggio Emilia environment, each day can be different depending on the children’s interests and interactions.
How can the Reggio Emilia philosophy benefit young children?
One benefit in particular, is that this approach allows children to build confidence. By putting children in charge of their own learning, they let their imaginations take them to new heights. In a Reggio Emilia environment, children are encouraged to speak with all of their languages, which in turn empowers their imaginations, builds their confidence in themselves and encourages them to take more interest in their own education.
How does Reggio Emilia work?
Per the Reggio Emilia philosophy, children are in control of their own learning and exploration. Emphasis is placed on the child’s “voice,” actions, passions, and wonder as they self-direct their own learning to understand the world around them. In the Reggio Emilia classroom, educators are encouraged to observe, listen, and provide their students with the space, time, and materials needed to express themselves and actively engage in their education.
What is the philosophy of Reggio Emilia?
The Reggio Emilia philosophy emphasizes the use of the “hundred languages of children,” which can include writing, drawing, building, sculpting, and dramatic play. These languages are how children interact and create experiences, individually and with other students, allowing them to grow within their learning environment.
What makes RMS so special?
The teachers at RMS are what makes this community so special. They really love and care about my children’s education and their well-being as little humans. I strongly believe these teachers are helping us raise the next generation of leaders!”
What is Reggio Emilia school?
That is where a Reggio Emilia school stands out. It provides children with unique learning environments and tailored curricula based on their unique learning styles. A Reggio inspired classroom focuses on building the cognitive, social, language, creative, and physical skills that empower students to be knowledge bearers ...
Why is Reggio Emilia important?
There is nothing more important to a parent than providing their children with access to a learning environment where they can achieve the greatest scholarly potential. All children have unique learning styles and not all classroom environments are conducive to all children’s needs. That is where a Reggio Emilia school stands out. It provides children with unique learning environments and tailored curricula based on their unique learning styles. A Reggio inspired classroom focuses on building the cognitive, social, language, creative, and physical skills that empower students to be knowledge bearers and researchers in their own learning experiences.
What is Reggio inspired curriculum?
A Reggio-inspired curriculum is always flexible and will change based on the children’s ideas, thoughts and observations. For this reason, teachers in a Reggio inspired classroom do not follow a specific or fixed curriculum. Instead, they create an evolving learning environment that empowers students’ curiosity, exploration, and response.
Why is Reggio inspired?
Because students learn directly from their learning environment, a Reggio inspired classroom is set up in a way that is meant to be a reflection of the culture that the child lives in.
What is the philosophy of Reggio Emilia?
The Reggio Emilia philosophy believes in strong parent involvement in the classroom environment. Clear channels for the sharing of information, communication, cooperation and partnership with parents is vital.
Who Is Reggio Emilia?
It sounds like a person’s name, doesn’t it? But the truth is, Reggio Emilia isn’t a person at all! The name comes from a small city in northern Italy where they’ve long been known for focusing their education on early childhood success.
What Is the Difference Between Reggio and Montessori?
The Reggio Emilia approach has ties to Montessori instruction for sure — both give the child room to lead their own education, and both see a child’s desire to learn. Both Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies have a deep respect for the child.
What is the learning center in Reggio Emilia?
Your learning centers are a key part of the Reggio Emilia approach, as the philosophy builds off of the social constructivist theory. Children working together in small groups, learning together, is crucial to this learning process. It’s also expected that children cycle through centers throughout the day.
Why is Reggio Emilia so popular?
One of the many reasons the Reggio Emilia approach has gained popularity is because of its attention to play-based learning and its myriad benefits. Once a bastion of fancy private schools, play is here to stay!
Is there more leeway in Reggio Emilia?
But where Maria Montessori created specific materials for children to learn from, there’s more leeway in the Reggio Emilia approach, at least as far as teachers are concerned. And that can make this philosophy easier to adapt to a public school classroom.
How to learn about Reggio Emilia?
There are multiple ways to learn about the Reggio Emilia approach from observing in Reggio learning centers and talking with Reggio educators to reading books and attending conferences. I was fortunate to begin my learning in college during my undergraduate program. Learning about the history of Reggio Emilia and working in Reggio-inspired early learning centers jumpstarted my journey into the Reggio world.
What are the materials used in a Reggio classroom?
In terms of materials, you will notice that most Reggio classrooms utilize natural elements like wooden crates or woven baskets. This may or may not be what you currently use, but there is no need to throw out perfectly useful plastic bins. A Reggio-inspired space showcases the children, leaving the materials, walls, rugs neutral. If you are lacking neutral colors or materials, what can you paint? Cover? Repurpose? If you have a choice of which colored bins you use, could you only use bins with more natural colors like blues and greens? Do you have clear bins? All of those things work perfectly fine. Over time, you can make swaps with other teachers, find items at garage sales, or repurpose found items.
How does reading/math/writing look in a Reggio-inspired classroom?
A Reggio-inspired reading time could focus on student interests with book selection and partner reading. Math time could look like students working together to solve an open-ended problem (the CGI method pairs well with this approach). Writing could involve lots of research projects, narratives, or fiction story writing.
Is Reggio a classroom?
The Reggio approach is not just a way to decorate a classroom. While the physical environment plays a role, there is much more to being a Reggio-inspired classroom than the colors of the rug or the types of bins used. You will get some tips in this post about colors and materials, but without more background and learning, it will just be decoration.
Can you use shelving in a Reggio style classroom?
A traditional Reggio space isn’t especially roomy, but I prefer a more open concept. Remember, you’re creating a “Reggio-inspired” space , so you can edit the layout to fit your classroom needs. I use shelving to house multiple centers, and students move the materials to a table or floor area to play. I also use shelving for community supplies for easy access. Remember, though, work with what you have and can repurpose.
Is Reggio inspired instruction explicit?
In every classroom, including Reggio ones, there is explicit instruction using proven methods. But I see the main shift from traditional to Reggio-inspired in how teachers allow students to gain more control of the topics, pace, methods, and paths that the learning takes.
Can this approach be done outside of pre-K or kindergarten?
Short answer, yes! If you’ve spent time learning the background and history of Reggio, you’ve seen that it’s far beyond just setting up play areas. The approach itself revolves around letting young children construct their learning. This could be done in multiple grade levels with a teacher who is prepared to deviate from the programs their school has provided or from the scope and sequence.
Principles of The Reggio Emilia Approach to Education
Image of The Child
- Children are viewed as competent, curious, full of knowledge, potential, and interested in connecting to the world around them. Teachers are deeply aware of children’s potentials and construct all of their work and environment of the children’s experience to respond appropriately.
Collaboration and Interaction
- Collaboration and cooperation are intentional in a school inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education. The entire system is designed to be connected and in relationship. Nothing is left to sit in isolation. Everything is alive and connected. Children, teachers and families join together to continually improve the system that supports our school community.
The Environment
- The space within the school or the environment is considered the third teacher. Teachers intentionally organize, support and plan for various spaces for children. The daily schedules are planned to ensure that there is a balance between individual, small and large group activities, child directed and teacher initiated activity and inside as well as outside experiences.
The Three Subjects of Education: Children, Families and Teachers
- For children to learn, their well-being has to be guaranteed; such well-being is connected with the well being of parents and teachers. Children, parents and teachers have rights; the right to safety, care and welfare, the right to be involved and the right to grow professionally.
The Power of Documentation
- Documentation is a means to collect information, observations and learning. It can be in the form of observations, photography, video, conversation transcripts and/or visual mediums like paint, wire, clay or drawing materials. Teachers use documentation to identify strengths, ideas, and next steps to support learning.
Emergent Curriculum
- Emergent Curriculum is a way of teaching and learning that requires teachers to observe and listen to the children. Teachers ask questions and listen for the children’s ideas, hypotheses and theories. After observing children in action, the teachers compare, discuss, and interpret their observations. Teachers plan activities, studies and long term projects in the classroom based o…
The Hundred Languages of Children
- The Studio teacher (or Atelierista) works closely with other teachers and the children through the Studio, an intentional space containing materials and tools to pursue thinking and concepts. In addition to the larger Studio, Mini-studios are found in every Discovery. What is done with the materials is not art per se, because in the view of Reggio educators the children’s use of media i…
The Role of The Teacher
- The image of the child shapes the role of the teacher and involves four major components. Teachers are: 1. Co-constructors:partners, guides, nurtures, solves problems, learns, hypothesizes 2. Researchers:learns, observes, revisits 3. Documenters:listens, records, displays, revisits 4. Advocates for children:involved in the community, politics relating to children, speaks for childre…
The Role of Parents
- Parents are an essential component of the school. They are an active part of their children’s learning experiences and help to ensure the welfare of all the children in the school. All families are members of the Family Team