Is Reggio Emilia Right for Your Child? The Pros and Cons of Reggio Emilia:
Uncategorized Sep 27, 2020
Is Reggio Emilia Right for Your Child? The Pros and Cons of Reggio Emilia:
In the digital age of education, there are many options available to parents and their children. One of the education philosophies growing in popularity and preference across the globe is based on the Reggio Emilia approach. If you are interested in a Reggio Emilia environment for your child, but hoping to learn more about it, you are in the right place.
Reggio Emilia inspired schools offer an alternative, child-centered approach to learning. Many parents see it as the best fit for their child — but is it the best fit for yours? Below, we outline all you need to know about this educational approach, so that you can weigh the possibilities of Reggio Emilia and make the best possible decision for your child. Here are a few key characteristics of a Reggio Emilia school to keep in mind as you consider your next step.
Curriculum:
Unlike traditional schools where the curriculum is extremely structured, a Reggio Emilia curriculum is flexible, hands-on, and largely engaging and interest-based. This approach allows children to initiate and guide their own learning experiences, based on their passions, interests, thoughts, exploration ideas and observations, thus developing their own skill of curiosity, inquiry, exploration and meeting the early development requirements. The purpose of the Reggio Emilia approach is to empower children to take pride in their own learning/finding, so that they have positive experiences in their learning environment and feel passionate to continue to learn and explore. Children participate in hands-on activities with their minds on, that encourage collaboration and problem-solving, both in the classroom and beyond. Teachers are facilitators in the child learning journey providing resources for each child to explore their interests by kindling their curiosities, whether that be with nature, art, books, music, building, loose parts , food or other areas of the school environment.
The Reggio Emilia (RE) learning approach, however, may not be the right fit for every child if you are looking at immediate chanting and memorizing of rhymes, rather than humming theme related rhymes while doing hands on as a part of the hundred languages. Children who benefit from more structured show and tell, 2+2 is four rather than a RE child expressing their own finding of their explorations which gets documented , arriving at 4 with 2+ 2 pebbles or sticks in the classroom, may thrive in an environment where the curriculum is set and guided by the teachers. The curriculum and independent learning style is something important to consider when looking at the pros and cons of Reggio Emilia. What is it that you want for your child? Tutored or taught rather than facilitated for personal growth by exploring and challenging their curiosities and arriving at their own findings which has long term benefits thus making learning visible on the learner which gets documented rather than graded a 2/5 or a 5/5.
Environment as the Third teacher:
The classroom environment plays a huge role in a child’s educational experience. So, let’s look at the pros and cons of the Reggio Emilia environment. The Reggio environment is equipped to support its flexible, hands-on curriculum. Lil Pallikkoodam for example, is a Junior Kinder school that uses the Reggio Emilia approach alongside the Creative Curriculum (R) in USA– and the learning environment reflects this learning method to facilitate growth. At Lil & Rak’s Pallikkoodam, state-of-the-art classrooms are set up with resources and materials, like loose parts, music, light and shadow play, nature, art forms, body & movement and other creative materials that encourage and empower children to take control of their own learning. The environment as a third teacher is intentionally designed for children of 2–6yrs, from Play group, Pre-kg, LKG & UKG.
Hundred Languages of Children:
In a Reggio Emilia classroom, children explore their hundred languages with movement, by creating things with rocks, wood, paper, natural things from their nature walk; interacting with one another and with adults, by smelling new scents and tasting new flavours, and making, listening to beautiful and surprising sounds. Submerging them in an environment that caters to each of these experiences with a total philosophy can be a successful avenue to help grow a self-secure, empathetic, creative, life- long learner and a mature child who is a critical thinker; ready to tackle challenges of each new year with enthusiasm and creativity (academically and intellectually).
Diversity:
Another benefit of the Reggio Emilia and Lil & Rak’s Pallikkoodam approach to keep in mind is the diversity of the student body. The school brings together students from different races, socio-economic backgrounds, and achievement levels regardless of their zip code they come from, with the only intent of the first family of the child becoming a true RE parent by understanding and working in partnership with the school towards their child’s learning journey. The diverse student body can be extremely beneficial to children as they grow, encouraging empathy, respect, acceptance, understanding, collaboration amongst classmates and evolving into compassionate young learners thriving with a purpose.
As with all educational institutions, there are always benefits and challenges that need to be considered when deciding the best fit for our children. When weighing out the pros and cons of Reggio Emilia, consider the future of your child and if the benefits of a Reggio Emilia school will continue to support your child’s development, future success and thrive with a purpose.
If you are interested in learning more about the Reggio Emilia inspired approach at Lil Pallikkoodam, feel free to contact our team or attend a parent information session. Book a Virtual Campus Tour