REALIZING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE CHILD
Marjorie Mann’s educational approach is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. Central to our work with children is an image of the child as capable, competent and a person with their own right to learn and connect with others. Our children are provided with an educational program that gives them opportunities for exploration, experimentation and discovery. Our Centre values working in partnership with children, researching topics and concepts together that capture their interest. We support children to develop positive dispositions for learning - curiosity, persistence, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm and imagination.
The Reggio Emilia Approach was developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Loris Malaguzzi, the pioneer of the Reggio Emilia Approach, was a primary school teacher who later went onto study psychology. The Reggio Emilia Approach was conceived after World War II when the women of Reggio wanted to build a school literally from the rubble of the devastated town. Over time, Malaguzzi and other educators in Reggio Emilia gathered their ideas and formed their philosophy by drawing from many sources of inspiration. It takes from and gives respect to the works of Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky and Montessori to name a few.
The Reggio Emilia Approach to early education is based on the belief that children are capable and competent, able to construct their own knowledge and able to express themselves through “100 languages.” Children have not just the need, but the right to interact and communicate with one another and with caring respectful adults. The child is at the centre of the Reggio Approach. Teachers of this method see their students as “full of potential, competent and capable of building their own theories.”
The Reggio Approach sees the environment as the “third teacher,” a key driver in offering children opportunities to explore and resource their own learning. Every corner of every space has an identity and a purpose, is rich in potential to engage and to communicate, and is valued and cared for by children and adults. “The design and use of space encourages encounters, communication, and relationship.” (Gandini, 1993)
The Reggio Approach is unique to Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy. As it is a philosophy, not a method, early learning settings inspired by the Reggio Approach can look different from one another. We have adapted the approach to be specific to our environment, culture, community and the needs and interests of our children.
For more information about The Reggio Emilia Approach and the work of Loris Malaguzzi, please visit https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/reggio-emilia-approach/
Loris Malaguzzi