Early Childhood

Children have the ability to drive curriculum through their own curiosities and interests and are regularly asked to think creatively, problem-solve, and share their theories and ideas with the group.

The learning environment acts as a third teacher. It should be dynamic, engaging, and inspiring and reflect the inhabitants of the space and the values they hold. The learning environment is not just thought of within the context of walls, but what’s accessible within the children’s place and natural world.

The studio plays an important role in the classroom. The creator of Reggio believed that young children should be encouraged, “to explore their environment and express themselves through all of the available ‘expressive, communicative, and cognitive languages,’ whether they be words, movement, drawing, painting, building, sculpture, shadow play, collage, dramatic play or music.”

Parents serve an important role within the learning community. The partnership that is created between parents, teachers, and children is important for supporting each child to have the best possible learning experience. A parent knows and understands their specific child best, and teachers understand and know about early childhood education. Together, they can support children to be successful.

Teachers are co-constructing knowledge alongside the children rather than filling an empty vessel. Teachers record conversations, take photographs, and revisit conversations and documentation with children to better understand their thinking.

Documentation is a way to make learning visible, and there are several types that can typically be found in the classroom, including historical documentation, ongoing documentation, and daily documentation.