Learning from the Reggio Emilia Philosophy

<p>Ihave learned whatReggioEmiliaisinthreestepsortiers.Thefirststepwas theyearsIhavespent workingattheECLC.Fromeight-hour daysoverthesummer tocominginforjustthreehoursintheafter-careprogramafterhighschoolto subbingasapreschoolteacherwhenhomefromcollegeonbreaksmycommitment tothemissionofthephilosophyofinspirationonlygrew asIgainedmore experience. Irememberoneofthefirstassociationsmydevelopingbrainhadwith theReggioapproach.Therewasasubstitute fortheartspecialistwhocameinwith coloringpagesaboxfulloffreshcrayonsandawarmsmile.Oneoftheteachers whisperedtomewellthatisnotReggio!Shelaterexplainedtomethatbecauseof theItalianphilosophy thatinspirestheECLCwedonot giveourchildrencoloring pagesbecausewewantthemtobeabletocreateontheirownand explore freely.As Italkedmore withtheECLCdirectoraboutthephilosophyandwhytheychoseto traintheireducatorsinthiswaymydefinition ofwhatReggioismatured.Rather thanjustbeinganideathatencourageschildrentocomeupwiththeirownart projectsitgrewtobeabeliefthatchildrenareplayfulandpowerfulcreatorsif giventherightsuppliesandnurturance. InspiredbytheReggiophilosophyI learnedabouttheimportanceoftrulylovingthechildrenIteachandtaking thetime to listentothemtalk</p>