Basic Information On Reggio

Information on Reggio Emilia

The main approach of Reggio Emilia is to allow parents and teachers an equal partnership of a child’s learning initiative.
Their main focus is educational importance of community and free inquiry.
Reggio Emilia was developed in 1940’s with it being used worldwide in nurseries and kindergartens.
Shares some of the same values as other frameworks such as Waldorf and Montessori, this framework doesn’t have a particular set of beliefs that are set in stone instead they have a set of values based on how they feel children should learn.
Different schools and establishments interpret these values in different ways.

CORE VALUES:
The child has to be an active participant in learning: the Reggio approach “sees a child as a very competent protagonist and initiator who interacts with their environment,”
Children are allowed to follow their own interests, an example of this some children shown an interest in the outdoors, so the teacher brought in materials from outdoors ( bark, wood stumps etc.) and the children started using these activities with other subject for example. Math skills, literacy skills all these whilst using their hands and being practical.
The significance of environment: “The environment of the school is seen as the third educator,”
Most Reggio classrooms will have a studio or atelier which will include materials such as clay, paint or writing implements, by having these materials means that the children are learning to implement the concepts that they are learning in a ‘hands on way’.
The teacher, parent and child as collaborators in the learning process: “normally parents are not seen as part of the educational process in an authentic way.”
A main aspect of the Reggio approach is that parents are a vital part in a child’s education, for people in the foster community Reggio schools will hold events throughout the school year in which can be seen as special lectures for the parents where the school will be able to hear any concerns that the parents have for example. If parents are concerned with their child’s lack of the sleep, the school could bring in someone who could help them address this issue.
Making learning visible: “The teacher observes and documents the daily life of the school to make learning visible,”
In Reggio inspired classrooms, teachers will tend to sue a variety of documentation documents such as cameras, tape recorders and journals. These are to track and monitor the children whilst playing and working. Each child will have a portfolio that will include photographs, any art work or quotes that have been made by the child, the idea behind this is to have a narrative of the child’s time at school. The children will also tend to take great pride in these portfolios.