Learning from the Reggio Emilia Philosophy

Ihave learned whatReggioEmiliaisinthreestepsortiers.Thefirststepwas theyearsIhavespent workingattheECLC.Fromeight-hour daysoverthesummer, tocominginforjustthreehoursintheafter-careprogramafterhighschool,to subbingasapreschoolteacherwhenhomefromcollegeonbreaks,mycommitment tothemissionofthephilosophyofinspirationonlygrew asIgainedmore experience. Irememberoneofthefirstassociationsmydevelopingbrainhadwith theReggioapproach.Therewasasubstitute fortheartspecialistwhocameinwith coloringpages,aboxfulloffreshcrayons,andawarmsmile.Oneoftheteachers whisperedtome,"wellthatisnotReggio!"Shelaterexplainedtomethatbecauseof theItalianphilosophy thatinspirestheECLCwedonot giveourchildrencoloring pagesbecausewewantthemtobeabletocreateontheirownand explore freely.As Italkedmore withtheECLCdirectoraboutthephilosophyandwhytheychoseto traintheireducatorsinthisway,mydefinition ofwhatReggioismatured.Rather thanjustbeinganideathatencourageschildrentocomeupwiththeirownart projects,itgrewtobeabeliefthatchildrenareplayfulandpowerfulcreatorsif giventherightsuppliesandnurturance. InspiredbytheReggiophilosophy,I learnedabouttheimportanceoftrulylovingthechildrenIteachandtaking thetime to listentothemtalk