Critically examine the key ideas associated with early years education in Reggio Emilia. What might be learned from such practices?
Reggio Emilia, a small town situated in Northern Italy which over the past fifty years has become a renowned focal point for those in early years education circles. Shortly after the conclusion of World War 2 the infamous Reggio Emilia approach was coined by a young innovative teacher Loris Malaguzzi. Malaguzzi founded this unique system after joining forces with the parents of the region after recognising the need for childcare for young children and parents to return to the workforce to allow the city to rebuild its infrastructure after sustaining extensive damage during the world war. The approach itself
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The belief that children are competent learners provides an environment which allows children to realise and expand their potential, the Reggio Emilia approach outlines how every child possess ideas which should be acknowledged, questioned and challenged to stimulate that child 's knowledge. Malaguzzi was famously quoted saying how a child has got a hundred languages and born with “a lot of possibilities” (Dahlberg, Moss & Pence, 2013). The Reggio approach demonstrates how these different languages can be portrayed in various ways by children such as drawing, dancing, painting, playing and through music to name a few. Consequently all these methods of learning are valued highly and nurtured in the classroom and used as a way of learning rather than a way of play. The approach from Reggio Emilia places an impetus on hands on practical learning for children as they use all their senses to learn and develop. Early years learning establishments in England could undoubtedly learn from the Reggio Emilia model which places children in a position empowering them to control their learning as they investigate what they want. English practices could take on board Malaguzzi’s approach of the hundred different languages fuller than they already do and the belief that every area of learning should be held in equal value in the classroom is extremely
On the opposite side of the continuum, the Reggio Emilia approach is a programme that is centred on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community. It is based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum with no early learning goals or inspections.
Although the framework is slightly different for every nation, the development of early years curricula has been significantly influenced by the Reggio Emilia approach, the Montessori
Early years frameworks in the U.K emphasise the importance of a personal and individual approach to learning and development:
The Reggio Emilia Approach is relatively new in the U.S.A this method is used in northern Italy. The schools in Italy that were using this method were rated in
Reggio Emilia is a child driven methodology where children are enriched within their environment as well as communication from their peers. Reggio Emilia schooling is an innovative approach for preschoolers and kindergarteners. Teachers are considered co learners with the children. The classroom environment is considered a “third teacher” while the children are seen as obtaining a “hundred languages”. Reggio Emilia schooling can be viewed as an out of the box and unorganized approach to learning due to excluding a written curriculum. Reggio Emilia has been viewed as highly unstructured with a high chance of bullying to develop. Reggio Emilia is an unconventional way of providing students with a manipulative environment including co-learners
Therefore emphasis on the Reggio Emilia approach is placed upon children’s many ‘symbolic languages’; these languages help the child explore and being to develop their own view of the world. These languages are based on: drawing, sculpting, dramatic play and writing, in order to achieve the best in a child and basing activities on aspects of: creative thinking, exploration and discovery, free play, following the interests on the child, valuing and encouraging all ways children express themselves, allowing children to talk about their ideas and then to re-visit them. A child’s environment has always been considered important in their learning and features in the Reggio Emilia approach; this philosophy claims that a child’s environment is known as a ‘third teacher’ as children must be able to learn through their experiences of senses: touching, moving, listening, seeing and hearing; which all
Reggio Emilia is unique relative to other preschool programs because it urges to ace aptitudes in composing and utilizing instruments that not as a rule is taught to children in other preschools until age 7.
It is essential that educators create safe, welcoming environments that promote learning for all students in a classroom and to do this they must acknowledge issues of diversity and difference and know how to approach these issues. There are two key documents that guide educators in their planning and implementation of curriculum; The Australian Curriculum and The Early Years Learning Framework. Using these two documents to create learning programs, educators must enact an inclusive curriculum that empowers all students, regardless of differences. For educators to understand and address issues of diversity and differences such as socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, language barriers and stereotypes around gender and sexuality, they must look at their own philosophy, values and beliefs around these issues.
Hailed by Newsweek (1991) magazine as the international role model for preschools, the Reggio Emilia approach has caught the attention of early childhood educators. In 1999, current Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley visited the schools in Reggio Emilia to better understand its benefits (Dunne, 2000). It’s principals are understood by only a few, however, and has limited following with approximately 1200 Reggio inspired preschools in operation, most of them private (Sipprelle, 2009), making the innovative ideas offered by this approach available to only a few. Why have so few schools emulated those so successful in Reggio Emilia, Italy? Is Reggio Emilia applicable in the American classroom? A look
There are many different curriculums that are used in early childhood classrooms. Two curriculums that are used are High Scope and Reggio Emilia. Both of these curriculums have unique aspects that make up their curriculums. In addition, High Scope and Reggio Emilia have similarities and differences.
– Reggio believed in ‘self-guided learning’ which is where a child is learning using what they are interested for example if they have a keen interest in cooking then you can use this to help with maths by helping them count while sorting out the ingredients, this fits in because it is with in the Early Years Foundation Stage where it states ‘ children
Loris Malaguzzi was Born in Corregio, Italy in 1920. He lived in a city called Reggioi Emmilia in Italy, which is recognized worldwide for its approach to education. After years past he then developed preschool and primary education in Italy after World War2. In 1976, the parents and the community confirmed their support for the guiding principles of the Reggio Approach to early childhood education. After his unexpected death, the community of Reggio Emilia carried on, implemented his dreams, and fulfilled the Reggio mission, which enhanced the potential of all children. Soon A foundation was named “The Reggio mission” and was established as the “International Centre for the Defense and Promotion of the Rights and Potential of all
This essay discusses two great theorists Maria Montessori and Friedrich Froebel. First, I will evaluate and compare their similarities and differences in philosophy and methods of education. Furthermore, Montessori’s and Froebel’s influence and implementation on early childhood education. Finally, my personal view of theorists educational methods which I could use in practice with young children in early childhood and childcare education as a practitioner. I will discuss my own attitudes, values and beliefs related on reflection on learning from Maria Montessori and Friedrich Froebel.
Edwards, C. P. (2002). Three Approaches from Europe: Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia. Early Childhood Research and Practice, 4(1), 2-14. Retrieved from http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v4n1/edwards.html
This research report presents an analysis of and conclusions drawn from the experiences and perspectives of two educators that work in the early childhood setting. The main objective is to identify key elements and issues in relation to the families, diversity and difference. In particular how an early childhood educator implements, different approaches to honour culture and diversity, and to advocate for social justice in an early childhood settings. As such, it allows an insight into the important role that families and their background plays in the everyday lives of the children and educators within early childhood settings. In today’s ever-changing growing society it is essential for educators to be flexible to the