Experiencing Reggio Emilia

Product Description

Early Education internationally is the focus of much challenge & debate. Various approaches to teaching young children are being developed & advocated but the focus is often on curriculum content with the processes of learning as a secondary issue. The most important consideration in early education is the way in which young children learn. Their transferable skills of communication collaboration & investigation can underpin all aspects of learning. These elements form the main focus of work in a group of pre-schools in an area of Northern Italy which has earned an international reputation for innovative practice & pedagogy. The experience of Reggio Emilia in providing challenges to accepted approaches to early childhood education in many countries is widely acknowledged. Since 1963 when the Italian municipality of Reggio Emilia began setting up its network of educational services for 0-6 year olds the Reggio Approach has gained worldwide recognition. Numerous visitors have been impressed by the acknowledgement given to the potential of children the organisation & quality of the environments created the promotion of collegiality & a climate of co-participation of families in the educational project. This book reflects the impressions & experiences of the Reggio Emilia approach gained by a range of early childhood educators following a study visit to the region. It focusses on key issues such as staffing training working with parents play learning the culture of early childhood & special educational needs from a variety of perspectives & will provide a welcome challenge to thinking for both practitioners & policy makers.