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