What does “Inspired by Reggio Emilia” mean for The Marigold School of Early Learning?
I will explore this common question I get every time I tell a potential client what my school’s philosophy is. The Reggio Emilia Approach to Education has been around for decades and has become a vital aspect of how Early Childhood Education has changed, evolved and become better in areas of the world where this philosophy has taken root and thrived. Even though this philosophy is widespread throughout the world and in the United States, it is shocking at times when I meet parents that have never heard of the philosophy.
The Marigold School of Early Leaning is a preschool designed specifically for children ages three to five years of age. While the school’s main philosophy is Reggio Emilia I also integrate Constructivist theories of both Piaget and Vygotsky, along with Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory. The Reggio Emilia Approach to Education is based on more than one Constructivist theory and together has evolved into its own theory proven by research and widespread practice. The curriculum develops and emerges through the observation of children’s words, actions, interactions, and interests. This form of curriculum is often referred to as “emergent”, which means curriculum grows, changes and varies in complexity with each child’s interests, abilities, ideas, developmental stages, and age.
The type of subjects and content explored all stem from children and their incessant curiosity and need to understand the world around them. Meaningful experiences are developed and created by children with the support of the teacher. Children learn from interacting with each other, their environment and the adults around them. For children to be fully engaged, happy and in the mode of learning the experiences they engage in must be meaningful to each one, and the level of challenges must be appropriate for each. The teacher and the environment serve the purpose of developing and sustaining a curriculum that supports all types of learning styles, intelligences and personality types. The environment becomes a “third teacher”, with children and adults taking on the role of “teacher” and “learner” as new and innovative ways of understanding concepts come into play.
The Marigold School of Early Learning is “inspired” by the Reggio Emilia Approach to Education. That means there are key aspects of this highly evolved theory that have been chosen and implemented into the program and are supported by the other theories I’ve mentioned above. Bringing nature indoors, allowing children to explore their ideas, question, formulate plans, create what they are interested in and learn through experiences that are truly meaningful to each. Children learn from each other and The Marigold School of Early Learning has a capacity of eight children maximum for each session. This enables children to get to know their classmates and build relationships that are deep and meaningful at an early age because the number of children they are around is not too overwhelming. The environment is not full of bright obnoxious colors, but subtle earth tones to enable children to maintain their focus on subjects of interest to them. Learning in a developmentally, age appropriate way in an environment that is created to enable children to focus on their multiple interests and to communicate their learning through “the hundred languages” children exhibit and explore in communicating what they are learning.
If you would like to learn more about the educational philosophies of the school and the program please email or call the school for a tour! We have open enrollment and would love for you to visit!
marigoldschoolofearlylearning@gmail.com or 360-597-6307
Heidi Scott is an experienced Master level Teacher with almost 20 years of teaching and education experiences.
Walk, ride or drive to The Marigold School of Early Learning! 🙂