Copyright Building Blocks Preschool 2011
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| Reggio Emilia Inspired Classroom and Curriculum Children are provided with rich materials and experiences that promote expression, curiosity, problem solving and positive social interactions. The educator facilitates students learning by encouraging questions and problem solving as children interact with materials and each other. |
Research Questions that guide our work at the Building Blocks Preschool:
• What role does the environment play in the learning process and how can
it provide continuous learning opportunities for children?
• What strategies are successful in positive collaboration and relationships
in a community of learners?
• What impact can I have in integrating the Reggio Emilia approach into
current instruction about Early Childhood Education?
• How do supportive social learning strategies affect collaboration and
cooperation amongst a community of learners?
• What role does the environment play in the learning process and how can
it provide continuous learning opportunities for children?
• What strategies are successful in positive collaboration and relationships
in a community of learners?
• What impact can I have in integrating the Reggio Emilia approach into
current instruction about Early Childhood Education?
• How do supportive social learning strategies affect collaboration and
cooperation amongst a community of learners?
We are expanding and defining our program to utilize the long-term project approach
by Lilian Katz, as adapted from the Reggio Emilia inspired approach to early
childhood education. The vision of our program will address the needs of the
developing child and provides many educational opportunities. These opportunities
stimulate children as they learn at their own rate and pace and construct their own
knowledge, think critically, solve problems and make decisions. The program provides
many opportunities for children to manipulate a wide variety of materials as they work
independently, in groups and with their teachers. Numerous open-ended activities
and explorations invite children daily to observe, explore, investigate and experiment.
The Teaching Staff strives to create a responsive, relaxed, happy and intellectually
stimulating atmosphere. Our program styles and processes are valued and
respected.
Certain regular periods of each day emphasize opportunities for self-initiated and
spontaneous types of play. Other time periods offer teacher-directed group activities,
which the children are encouraged, but never forced, to join. Other parts of the
schedule involve regular daily routines such as snack time, clean up time, lunch, rest
time, etc. Building Blocks considers every segment of the day to be important in the
total program, each offering the children unique opportunities for growth and learning.
Parents are viewed as partners in their child's education. Parent participation is
encouraged and welcome. Research indicates that when teachers, parents and
families work together children benefit. Parental involvement in their child's education
has repeatedly been shown to be a significant factor in determining a child's success
in school. Positive parental and family attitudes toward school and learning correlate
with their children's attitude toward later learning.
| Building the Foundation for a Love of Learning |
