CNN News Report on Reggio Emilia Italy Early Childhood Schools in the US

CNN report on the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and why they are considered the world's best preschool model.

[@DSDaly]

My son starts Reggio this fall. I was so impressed with the school and staff at the tour. I'm so excited for him!

[@newhorizonslifecoachcheers]

For me, as a Head Start alumni it will always be the best. I'm middle age now and remember when I was in Head Start. It was a pleasant experience as they prepared me to transition into elementary school and for life in general. So I can say as an alumni it was the best choice for me and my sister. We had a couple of our birthday parties there. We had fond memories of Head Start and are big supporters of it. I don't have kids but if I did would put them in Head Start! Also my mom was a Head Start teacher at the time and we got older she would let me and my sister help her with projects for the little ones. I loved it!

[@carlaa3416]

children are learning from natural material. Go children go you are indeed competent, and I hope many more people around the globe see you that way.

[@DrinaLovesYou17]

"Reinvent it. Figure out what aspects work for us and what soil we need to make it thrive." - Gardner, in taking Reggio approach in another context/ culture.

[@newhorizonslifecoachcheers]

This approach seems to focuses mainly on concrete practical skills that children develop individually (in isolation). While these skills are important, imaginative and collaborative play is equally as important to develop the 21st-century skills children need now more than ever.

[@rhizlanemesselmi6686]

That an interesting documentary to get much more information

[@newhorizonslifecoachcheers]

One limitation of this method is that it is not well-suited to all children. Because the approach is based on the idea that children are innately curious and motivated to learn. It may not be effective for children who are shy, struggling or who have special needs. These children may require more structured and individualized instruction in order to be successful.

[@marysloan2552]

I'd like an update on the St. Louis project. How can I reach those involved?

[@carlaa3416]

I see The Reggio Emilia approach as a movement for children's right. Go Reggio I am with you

[@sylviadearmas8036]

Thank you for your response. If you could send me her contact information I would message her and ask her for a copy. This is a wonderful report to share with out parents on parents night. Thank you again. Sylvia

[@newhorizonslifecoachcheers]

11 years later and Head Start is still #1 in America. If the Reggio Emilia approach was effective as they say then would it be more popular than Head Start? Wouldn't the government adopt it? #1. Parents, teachers and guardians of children are suppose to know more and therefore can teach the little ones that are learning. It makes absolutely no sense when people think it should the other way around when these kids don't know anything! #2. Where is the logic in that children are suppose to lead the way when they have no clue how to?! #3. The Head Start structure models what the children will experience in real life when they become adults. Compare their early education environment to the work environment.

[@Luca-fm6tf]

Peccato però che proprio lì.... dove nasce e viene applicato il Reggio Approach, nei nidi e nelle scuole di Reggio Emilia, proprio li..... appena piove un po' più forte del solito... proprio lì .... succede che piove acqua sulla testa dei bambini... perché?? com'è possibile?? sai dicono che non ci sono i soldi.....

[@henrytuttle]

"World's best preschool model"? Where did they say this? They mentioned that the city pays for preschool education. They said a lot of "feel good" stuff about listening to the child, etc. Not a lot about what they ACTUALLY do. Sounds lovely, but what is the result? Are children happier? I bet they are. But are they more prepared to go out into the world? 3 years with one teacher? I've had teachers that would have been great with. I've had teachers where that literally would have been extended hell. There were times when my ONLY light at the end of the tunnel was moving on from some teachers. I've researched into Reggio Emilia philosophy a bit. In the beginning, I couldn't make heads or tails of it. There was a lot of distracting from the fact that they don't seem to have a whole lot going on. But in the end, I understood some central ideas: it is very exploration/play centered, teachers create individualized instruction based on interests of the children, there is a lot of arts, and socialization is given a lot of importance. Further, there are projects (which tend to be larger than standard projects) and there is documentation. I'm simplifying, but they don't make it easy to even figure out that much. They don't claim any academic excellence. No claims of percentage of college attendance or students entering STEM fields. Reggio Emilia the city doesn't seem to have any claims on anything other than the fact that it's the birthplace of this philosophy of education and seems to be a pleasant place. That's not necessarily too bad, but what exactly do they claim is superior? Keep in mind, I like some of the ideas I've read. I will be integrating some Reggio Emilia practices into my home life (I like the projects and the documentation and can tailor them to my girls' interests). However, for my daughter's education, I will be enrolling them in Montessori schools in the beginning. How long they'll stay in is still undecided. But Reggio is, for now, just a "system" that clears away all the rules and has teachers stay with children for long stretches of time. That COULD be wonderful, or it could be a disaster.

[@dulceshimkus6496]

I suggest you spend a bit more time researching this philosophy. It is much more than a "system". It is a system in that the municipality of Reggio Emilia has allotted 17% of it's budget to the education of it's children. The philosophy of Reggio Emilia is centered on children's rights, capabilities, and competencies. Children have a right to be valued, respected, honored. They have a right to express themselves using many different "languages" and not only how their teacher wants them to do so. Children have a right to high quality, authentic (not expensive) materials. Children have a right to be allowed time to explore and create their own theories. They are the co-constructors of their knowledge... They teach and learn from each other. Great importance is given to the learning environment. In Reggio, it is referred to as the "third teacher". We expect our children to be creative, independent, and critical thinkers. How will they ever be able to grow into this, if teachers and school systems impose inflexible lesson plans that change weekly, that have nothing to do with the children's interests. They are repeatedly made to understand that what they are interested in is of no value... Reggio is not a system that "clears away all the rules". I have had the privilege to visit Reggio Emilia. This is not a "system" of chaos and mess. The children are respectful of each other, their teachers, their environment, and the materials they use. Spending three years with the same group of children allows them all to bond and form genuine relationships. The Reggio philosophy and approach is clearly not for everyone. It takes a great deal of commitment, and genuine respect for the rights of children. You said you would like to incorporate "some Reggio Emilia practices into my home life (I like the projects and the documentation and can tailor them to my girls' interests). Documentation in Reggio is not simply the visual display of children's learning. The teachers in Reggio spend much time documenting, observing, collaborating, and discussing with colleagues and with the children. It is not simply an anecdote or picture of something a child has done. The underlying interest of "why" it is interesting is what inspires the projects. Montessori is, in my opinion very static and flat. The "works" have to be done in a specific way, and are progressive. If a child wants to experiment, or combine works, or use a work in a way that it is not determined proper, they are not allowed. There is little opportunity for deep exploration or creative expression. Reggio is not a recipe, or a curriculum that can be transplanted. It depends on the culture and context of your environment. This is not to say you cannot incorporate it's philosophies. You just need to keep in mind that you must keep it within the context of your environment.

[@dulceshimkus6496]

Pan S: How? Care to elaborate?

[@gstager]

There are nearly 60 years worth of research supporting the brilliant subtlety and complex of the work in Reggio Emilia.

[@henrytuttle]

Yes, this is the kind of double speak I hear all the time. So, you claim they've done "60 years of research". What did they conclude? Lots of praise but very slim on details.

[@henrytuttle]

I wouldn't use Montessori as a "lifestyle". It does a very good job at teaching certain skills for a short period of time per day. I wouldn't recommend it at all for latchkey kids who parents drop off at school early and then only pickup after work. And I'm not certain whether it's a good system later on in life. But during the preschool years, I feel comfortable that they'll come out at the end having learned a certain set of skills. I feel like, unless the teacher is exceptional and/or unburdened with too many students, there's a good chance the child will be lacking in certain skills.