Kindergarten can be a fun and exciting year for families. Whether they are enrolling in a public or private school, kindergarten is the first year a child will have to meet certain state requirements. These requirements can add extra pressure on families as they transition into this new chapter of their lives. Ensuring children gain…

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History of the Reggio Emilia Approach The unique origin of the Reggio Emilia philosophy produced a very different and innovative approach to early childhood education. In its founding, Reggio Emilia was deeply woven into the fabric of the local government, community, and people. It was first developed after the conclusion of World War II by…

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Explore the similarities and differences between three major approaches to early childhood education When shopping for a preschool, it takes time to identify a program and curriculum that best fits your child’s particular learning style. Every child is different, and there are a variety of different curriculum approaches to choose from. The Compass School utilizes…

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Multisensory approach to handwriting Teaching handwriting to young children can seem like a larger than life task both for the teacher and the parent. The Reggio Emilia approach recognizes that every child is capable, independent, and full of imagination.  It is imperative that each child be encouraged and motivated to question, investigate, and explore the…

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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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Most of us remember playing with clay as children. We remember creating a variety of objects such as balls, snakes, bowls, and mugs.  Clay is a wonderful medium, which allows for exploration that builds over time based on individual needs and interests, which is very supportive of the Reggio Emilia philosophy.  Clay is an extremely…

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In the article, Going Deeper: Exploring Reflective Practices with Inspiration from Reggio Emilia, Sarah Adams-Kollitz’s discusses her personal experience when the Reggio Emilia approach was incorporated into her early childhood program.  The article focuses specifically on the area of reflective practices beginning with the teachers and eventually spanning out to the children, parents, and surrounding community.  While the…

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At some point in our lives, we learn about the history behind the Thanksgiving holiday. We learn about who was involved and, of course, all about the feast.  What should the holiday represent in today’s society?  We are taught to give thanks during this time but do we really understand the benefits of being thankful,…

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Lilian Katz Theories of Learning Dr. Lilian Katz’s is renowned for her significant contribution to early childhood education. In particular, Dr, Katz’s theory of learning dispositions, which describe a child’s willingness to learn by way of their natural tendency or emotional attitude, has led to fundamental changes towards the approach of early childhood education. Dr.…

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Why is it important for teachers to communicate with parents? Simply put, parents are the best teachers and role models that a child has. As such, it’s vital that parents are actively involved with their child’s education, rather than allowing the teacher to handle it all. There’s plenty of evidence that suggests positive communications between…

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