THE REGGIO APPROACH

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Creative Journeys Preschool operates a year round Reggio Emilia-inspired program, from August to July. Our approach shares the philosophy of early learning that emerged from the pioneering collective work of educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

 

Inspired by this community-oriented approach, our curriculum is child-centered and inquiry-based. Interactions between teachers and students are responsive to the developing interests of each child, which defines our emergent curriculum. As a learning tool for teachers, students, and parents alike, daily documentation of classroom activities, projects and observations is ongoing throughout the year.

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PLAY THEIR WAY

We believe that when supported to make their own educated decisions, children will engage in experiences where learning is a natural product of fun. That’s why we allow the natural inquisitiveness of each child to chart their education.

 

Child-Centered

Because we capitalize on the children’s interests and empower them to take an active role, we find children are emotionally invested in their own learning, are willing to explore in-depth, and are able to reach deeper levels of understanding. For children, a child-centered curriculum just feels like fun.

 

Inquiry-Based Project Approach

Children and teachers explore in-depth the interests and ideas generated by the children. Teachers provide materials, help children identify their hypotheses, and then work in collaboration with the children to pursue a course of study. Teachers add provocations and challenges that encourage the children to take their learning to deeper and deeper levels.

 

Emergent Curriculum

Our child-centered curriculum is actualized through an emergent curriculum model. Children co-create their learning objectives and goals together with teachers, who work as researchers alongside the children. They carefully listen to the interests of the children, assisting each child in defining their questions as a place to begin investigations and express their knowledge.

 

Documented Learning

Documenting children’s learning is a critical part of our curriculum process. Throughout the day at Creative Journeys Preschool, teachers are documenting children’s words through dictation and children’s actions through photographs. Teachers then compile this information into a child’s portfolio, documenting achievements and milestones in each child’s development.

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Here is a sampling of experiences children engage in throughout any given day:

 

• Drop-Off & Arrival: Children and parents greet teachers and each other and settle into the classroom.

• Morning Circle: Children share in a large group conversation and singing and dancing.

• Meal Time: A quick snack to help keep our energy up.

• Outside Time: Intentional time for gross motor activities, fresh air, and natural science explorations.

• Small-Group: Developmentally focused projects and investigations.

• Free Choice: Mixed-age explorations in which children can choose activities and materials throughout the classroom.

• Lunch: Whole-class social time with a focus on conversation and self-help skills.

• Literacy: Developmentally focused small group time for hands-on, play-based explorations of reading and writing.

• Yoga: This helps children experiment with breath, stillness and self-regulation while the physical poses assist in building gross and fine motor skills, coordination, balance and strength.

• Rest Time: Children have the chance to recharge and take a break from group experiences.

• Afternoon Snack: A quick meal to tide them over until arriving home.

• Pick-Up: Children say goodbye to teachers and each other and go home.