Trends in Early Childhood Education

It seems that in every field and profession there are always new trends and "buzz words."  In my field of early childhood education, the latest "buzz word" is "Reggio." The city of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy is recognized worldwide for its innovative approach to education. Its signature educational philosophy has become known as the "Reggio Emilia Approach," one which many preschool programs around the world have adopted.

I was privileged to attend a week-long class (along with several other early childhood educators) in the small city, which is located just north of Milan.

The Reggio Emilia Philosophy is based on a set of principles that:

Children must have some control over the direction of their learning.
Children must be able to learn through hands-on experiences using their senses.
Children must have endless ways and opportunities to express themselves.

This program is based on the principles of respect, responsibility and community in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children and to foster a child's imagination. Taking the child out of the classroom to explore the environment around them is a powerful experience. Visiting shopkeepers, the , the beach and all the wonderful things that our community offers provides endless ways for our children to identify with their surroundings.

Reggio Emilia's tradition of community for families with young children expands on a view of children as the collective responsibility of the local community.

Malibu is a community, and there are many ways to connect our young children to their community. Our awesome ocean is a lifetime of curriculum, as is the entire community around us to explore and be part of.

If you are interested in learning more about the Reggio Emilia Approach to early learning, please feel free to email me or stop by my office for a chat. The coffee is always on. 

Dede Solis is the education director at .