The Reggio Emilia Approach Essay - 1381 Words

The Reggio Emilia Approach 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†¦show more content†¦The land was donated and so was the labor. Many of the materials were recycled from the ruins created by the war (Source, 0000). While there is no fixed curriculum or one specific model to emulate, the Reggio Emilia approach does have some essential components, some fundamental ideas about how children learn most effectively. The utmost is the idea that the young child is inherently competent not only as a learner but as an initiator. The child has preferences and opinions that have value and should be listened to with respect and care, knowing that they have much to offer their classroom community and community at large. This pedagogy plays a large role in shaping the Reggio classroom. It allows the children to pursue projects which are interesting and meaningful and then allowing adequate time to follow those projects with passion. The Reggio Emilia approach is an emergent curriculum because it is developed and shaped by the interests of the child, through negotiations between the child, parents and teachers. This is done in a Reggio classroom by in large and small group projects in which the children engage. The projects involve planning, hands-on activities, research, and representation through a variety of visual media. The observant teacher collects documentation which is a vital component of the Reggio philosophy in the form of written anecdotes, samples of childrens work, photographs and videos. This information is used to reflect on theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Reggio Emilia Approach To Education And The Shades Of Pink1034 Words   |  5 Pagesto scholastic, â€Å"Color and shape are ways children observe and categorize what they see. These very recognizable characteristics encourage children to define and organize the diverse world around them.† (church). This article is about the Reg gio Emilia approach to education and the Shades of Pink study. The shades of Pink study describes how six preschoolers and their teacher engaged in a collaborative learning project through which they learned about the shades of a color--in this case, pink. UnderstandingRead MoreImplementing The Reggio Emilia Approach For Low Income Pre Kindergarten Students1283 Words   |  6 Pagesthe idea of implementing The Reggio Emilia Approach for low-income pre-kindergarten students to increase literacy and language acquisition, attempting to close the academic achievement socioeconomic status gap. The Reggio Emilia Approach was founded by Loris Malaguzzi in Reggio Emilia, Italy in the 1960s. An Educational Psychologist, Malaguzzi created an approach to education that put the child at the center of it all (Reggio Emilia Approach). The Reggio Emilia Approach considers the child to haveRead MoreCritical Pedagogy And The Reggio Emilia1533 Words   |  7 PagesCritical pedagogy and The Reggio Emilia approach on play based learning should be merged into early childhood education as obtaining the skills to critically analyze and problem solve has the potential to change society and thus the potential to change the world. It is important individuals become aware of what critical pedagogy is. Critical pedagogy stems from the idea that there is an unequal social structure in our society which is based upon class, race and gender. It has been formulated andRead MoreCurriculum Approaches2578 Words   |  11 PagesMontessori and Reggio Emilia are progressive approaches to early childhood education that appear to be growing in New Zealand and have many points in common. In each approach, children are viewed as active authors of their own development, strongly influenced by natural, dynamic, self-righting forces within themselves, opening the way towards growth and learning. Teachers depend on carefully prepared, aesthetically pleasing environments that serve as a pedagogical tool and provide strong messagesRead MoreA Critique - Reggio Emilia Approach a Educational Philosophy1120 Words   |  5 PagesREGGIO EMILIA APPROACH A EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY I fully support the Reggio Emilia Approach model which was found by Loris Malaguzzi. This model became associated with mainstream educational practices in 1945 when the first parent-run preschool of the common people opened in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. The destruction from the war, parents believed, necessitated a new, quick approach to teachingRead MoreEvaluation Of Teaching : Three Preschool Programs993 Words   |  4 Pagesschools have multi-aged classes that have self-correcting materials that the children use. The children are allowed to make use of any of the equipment in the classroom after they have been given a silent demonstration by the teacher. The High/Scope, Approach founded in 1970 by the work that Dave Weikart and Connie Kamii did on the Parry Preschool Project. These early educators thought that early education could prevent school failure in high school. They believed that children learn by mentally and physicallyRead More`` Beautiful Stuff ! By Cathy Weisman Topal And Lella Gandini Essay1729 Words   |  7 PagesThrough this approach students acquire a deeper knowledge through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. Beautiful Stuff! is a book written by Cathy Weisman Topal and Lella Gandini that shares the journey of real teachers in a real school who were inspired by educators from Reggio Emilia, Italy. Cathy Topal spent two mornings a week in the preschool and kindergarten as a visual aid teacher. Lella Gandini consulted with teachers about aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach. The teachersRead MoreSimilarities and Differences between Reggio Emilia and High Scope1681 Words   |  7 PagesTwo cu rriculums 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. In Ypsilanti, Michigan Dr. David P. Weikard created High Scope in 1970. High Scope does research in a variety of areas. However, they are best known for their research in preschool education and their preschool curriculum approach. High Scope preschool curriculum is used throughoutRead MoreI Am Attending Duke Street Daycare1193 Words   |  5 Pagestotal of six staff members. I have attached the center’s guidance policy and daily schedule. I am working with the 3-4’s and the schedule attached is strictly followed which is interesting to me, because the center says they believe in the Reggio Emilia approach. The center enforces guidance with positive reminders than negatively, the staff evidently practiced this. All the teachers speak to the children with kind voices yet use different strategies of guidance rather than yelling or saying no. ForRead MoreMy Role As An Educator1014 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout this term, we have learned various models of teaching s uch as: Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, Forest, HighScope and Head Start. My role as an educator is to implement a variety of learning strategies taught to me. As I learned about each models of teaching, I still hold my bias towards the Reggio Emilia Approach, but I also like some aspect of the HighScope curriculum. In my personal philosophy, I will talk about what I believe to be an â€Å"image of a child† and role of an educator.