Indications of Preschools & Infant-Toddler Centres of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia

This morning's session was really really wonderful! We went over the document that is basically the schools' "commitment" to the way they work and their values. It is made up of three parts:

1. Identity and Aims of the Infant-Toddler Centres and Preschools
2. Principles of the Educational Project
3. Essential Elements for the Operation of the Infant-Toddler Centres and Preschools

I learned so much through this presentation about the workings of the schools and their values. Their viewpoint that "Education is the right of all, of all children, and such is a responsibility of the community." So much is said in this opening statement - the value of Early Childhood Education is just incredible.

I wanted to list the "principles" of the Reggio Schools - which they refer to as their "Educational Project" - not a "type" of teaching:

• Children are active protagonists in their growth and development process
• The hundred languages (all of the different forms of learning children possess)
• Participation (value & strategy of being together with others)
• Listening
• Learning as a PROCESS of individual and group construction (this allows for challenges, play, fun, humor, discovery, relationships and quality research!)
• Educational research
• Educational documentation (allows adults to be a participator in the children's actions - a form of professional development by learning the children better and learning about yourself as an educator)
• Progettazione (designing and unraveling work with children)
• Organization (working strategy, quality of schools and how they are run)
• Environment, spaces, and relations
• Professional development
• Assessment

These values are so crucial to how Reggio runs - and I think they are so valuable to all educators. I love the co-responsibility between families and the school, between auxiliary staff and teachers, etc. to run and manage the schools. This co-responsibility is present in every level of the school's functioning...just amazing.

After working through "Indications" - Liz, Sue and I went to the Gelato Shop and had gelato for lunch! I got a "gelato sandwich" - literally 3 huge scoops of gelato crammed into a sweet roll! Yummm :)

With my nutritious delicious lunch!

Miss you all back home a lot!

xo-Carly