Discovery Zone Preschool

The Reggio-Emilia approach

The Reggio-Emilia approach to early childhood education subscribes to the philosophy that children are active and eager learners. Besides mastering disciplinary knowledge bases and skills, students also develop competence in critical thinking and are skilled at problem solving strategies. Teachers present students with topics of exploration, and allow the students to creatively explore the topics, to determine what will be explored,and how.

Roles of the teacher, students as active learners and an emergent curriculum In line with Problem Based Learning approaches, the Reggio Emilia Approach to education conceptually the teacher as playing multiple and overlapping roles. Teachers
work alongside their other teachers as co-teachers. The teacher is also a co-learner, working alongside his students and developing his own skills and knowledge. The teacher’s role as facilitator requires him to provide students with relevant resources for learning, including but not limited to pedagogy, projects ideas, practical strategies, documentation and even co-construction.

Spatial Organization
Bathrooms are not specially equipped with child-size amenities, and staircases and cooking areas are not gated. This aspect of spatial organization is not an oversight but consciously planned. The purpose, in line with RE philosophy of providing students with life skills, is so that children acquire the skills needed for maneuvering themselves in an adult oriented physical world such as physical agility and a sense of safety and caution.
Routine Activities

Children are somewhat heavily involved in the general upkeep of the school, and themselves. While meals are wholly prepared by staff, children, especially older ones, play a part in setting the table, and taking used cups and dishes to the kitchen sink. Children are also expected to take out and pack away whatever drinks or food that they may bring from home.

Children are also assigned simple housekeeping duties such as wiping the table and sweeping the floor and tidying up after themselves.