Reggio Emilia

What is Reggio Emilia?

Broadly speaking, Reggio Emilia is an approach to early childhood learning named after the town where it originated, in Italy. Founder Loris Malaguzzi believed children were in need of a more holistic kind of education after World War II. He began the Reggio Emilia style based on the belief that every child is unique and will express their interests in many different ways.

Reggio Philosophy

The Reggio Emilia philosophy is innovative and inspiring approach which views children as curious individuals and have the potential to learn from all that surrounds them. This philosophy values children as strong, capable and resilient; full of wonder and knowledge.

What is Holistic Approach and Why is Important

Holistic approach in education is taking responsibility for the development of the “whole child”. Educators with a holistic approach practice and recognize how the mind, body and spirit are connected. Educators pay attention to children’s physical (sensory and motor), personal, social, creative, emotional and wellbeing development including cognitive aspects of learning.

Holistic approach is important for planning and evaluating the needs of children. Holistic approach motives children to connect with others, to be curious, and help develop psychological, social and emotional growth. It empowers children’s learning.

Image of the Child

When you think of how you view a child, what comes to mind what should come to mind is competent, capable, independent, communicative. This images shapes how we view life and learning. The image of a child that we hold within us evolves from our own life experiences in childhood and after, the culture we grew up in, society we live in and is influenced by philosophies that we are exposed to.

Our image of the child is significant because it guides the way we treat children. It is the basis of our interactions with them. The image of the child is a powerful force. We need to be aware of it and conscious of how we develop it. Most importantly, how we employ it.

“It’s necessary that we believe that the child is very intelligent, that the child is strong and beautiful and has very ambitious desires and requests. This is the image of the child that we need to hold . . . .  Instead of always giving children protection, we need to give them the recognition of their rights and of their strengths.” – Loris Malaguzzi

At Greenfield Playschool, we view each child as curious, competent, creative, persistent, full of potential, protagonists, powerful and a beautiful mighty learner