ABOUT REGGIO EMILIA
THE BACKGROUND
The Reggio Emilia approach was formed in Northern Italy when a group of forward-thinking parents and academics came together to create the kind of early learning experience that would inspire their children to develop critical thinking and collaboration skills.
Loris Malaquizzi, an educator and psychologist, joined the group to help formalise the approach. Today, more than seventy years later, Reggio Emilia is considered a global leader in innovative teaching.
INSPRING CREATIVE EXPRESSION
The Reggio Emilia approach is all about the child taking responsibility for their learning. Each child decides the direction of their education based on what is meaningful to them.
The approach is experiential, so the educator learns about the nuances of each child’s learning process at the same time as the child learns about the world. This method encourages children to question what they have learned and re-consider their knowledge in the light of new information.
The role of the educator in the learning process is not to answer questions but to guide and mentor. An educator may suggest a hypothesis for the children to delve into, encouraging each child to find answers, paving the way for a lifelong love of learning.
THE WORLD IS OUR TEACHER
The Reggio approach believes a child’s environment is a “third teacher”, so our learning environment is designed to encourage open-ended play. Educational and creative materials are added to the classroom to suit particular interests and reflect the needs of each child’s developmental stage.
At Mirabelle, we’ve taken great care to offer a welcoming environment and create a nurturing, relaxed atmosphere. We offer safe, spacious rooms bathed in natural light and free from clutter. The lush outdoor spaces encourage exploration of the natural world and come complete with teepee, veggie patch and creative play areas.
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS
Our purposely designed art spaces are at the heart of the Reggio Emilia approach. It’s in this quiet, creative space that your child will be encouraged to document their ideas and deepen their knowledge with their educator.
When your child documents their creative ideas in the art room, it brings their learning to life. Doing this helps them understand their learning process – illustrating how their ideas connect and form a bigger picture. Crucially, the visualisation process also shows that the more you dig into a concept, the more your understanding will change and grow.
A relationship of empowerment and trust grows between child and educator on their adventure as fellow researchers and world explorers – sharing knowledge, unique perspectives, and creative possibilities.
POWER OF COMMUNITY
Building relationships is fundamental to your child’s social and emotional growth. Whether it’s making friends at Mirabelle, or the local community getting involved in a project – we believe everyone has a role to play in helping your child learn about their place in the world.
REGGIO EMILIA MAKES A DIFFERENCE
The Reggio Emilia approach inspires a child to wonder and question their knowledge and experiences. Ultimately, this leads to confident, curious, self-aware children who will make a positive impact on the world.