The Reggio Emilia approach to education views the classroom environment as the third teacher which should be a reflection of the children, parents, and teachers.  It is imperative the environment is thoughtful, imaginative, and enticing to the child.  Research has long shown a correlation between the classroom environment and children’s behavior. In the article, Creating Environments that Reduce Children’s Stress, Sony Vasandini specifically focuses…

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The Reggio Emilia approach to learning was developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy through a city-sponsored educational system developed by Loris Malaguzzi.  Because it is commonly recognized as one of the best programs for young children, many educators from around the world travel to Italy annually to become immersed in this teaching philosophy.  Lella Gandini, author of…

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I was recently out to dinner and noticed a family with young children at a nearby table.  Each family member had an electronic device in front of them and everyone was so engaged in their own devices that they weren’t talking to one another.  In this media age, televisions, computers, phones, tablets, and other media…

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Healthy eating is about more than just consuming food that is good for you. Healthy eating is about sharing meals with others, building social skills and relationships, and laying a foundation for a healthy body and mind.  Nutritious food is crucial for children’s development and it is important they eat well at home, school, and…

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A Play Framework What if only two rules in life exist? The first is to have a good time and the second is to make sure others have a good time. This may not be a productive way of thinking in all aspects of life, right?  When it comes to children’s play, however, it opens…

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The Classroom Environment The Reggio Emilia classroom environment is unique among early childhood education approaches, and it plays one of the most important roles in the Reggio Approach. In the Reggio environment,  determining the way that children interact with the classroom is a crucial step to take in order to best implement a Reggio-inspired approach…

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In our culture, instant access and real-time information is something we’ve come to expect. What’s surprising is that in regards to communication with parents, many preschools and child care centers still operate in an outdated mentality. Emails, online portals, and newsletters are some ways schools keep parents in the loop. Yet with so much occurring…

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How to Choose a Preschool Choosing a preschool is a big decision for a parent. With different schools endorsing different philosophies, it can be overwhelming to understand what will be right for your child. Research suggests a strong correlation between high quality child care and higher levels of academic and cognitive achievement. This puts great…

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The Compass School’s preschool program follows a Reggio-inspired, project-based approach to early childhood education. Teachers deliver what we describe as an “emergent curriculum,” that is predicated on the emerging interests, ideas, and questions of the children. Project work engages the student in the skills of discussion, decision-making, options and choices, cooperation, team work and evaluation…

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