The principles of the Reggio Emilia approach within early childcare education are well-documented. But what can you do to extend the reach into the family environment?
The short answer to that is, ‘plenty’, and it’s not difficult to do. From weaving fun activities into your child’s day to adding tactile materials into their play options, it doesn’t take much to integrate the philosophy into everyday home life.
Reggio at Home: 6 Small Steps to Success
You’ve probably heard some common terminology used when discussing the Reggio Emilia approach, such as:
“The hundred languages of children”.
“The environment as the third teacher”.
These are probably the best-known and are what you can build your home Reggio environment upon. The former refers to using multiple communication methods. While speech is one, there are many other ways that children converse and connect with the world and its inhabitants. Singing, chanting, sketching, making patterns, painting, movement… The list goes on.
In addition, the environment itself has the potential for infinite exploratory opportunities and learning. Taking both of these important Reggio elements into account, we can easily embellish the home environment to promote this.
- Create a room or area designed to inspire curiosity: Reggio Emilia spaces utilise natural energy flow, light and a clutter-free landscape that allows children to focus on what catches their attention. The use of colour is important and is easily achieved. Add a bright rug or throw, hang a few interesting pictures and make full use of natural materials and their varying surfaces. Make this area as child friendly as possible, so they have the freedom to move at will, as well as placing their items in places that are easily accessible.
- Add items that encourage curiosity and exploration: Toys and objects should be as interesting as possible. You’ll notice a distinct lack of manmade materials in the Emilia Reggio classroom – and for good reason. They don’t inspire curiosity or have the allure of Mother Nature’s beauty. Beautifully crafted wooden toys, for example, aren’t simply playthings, they’re a world of tactile wonder for little fingers to discover. The natural world offers pinecones, leaves, smooth pebbles and tree bark, all ripe for a child’s next artistic creation.Even the use of metal for practical elements, such as chairs, is far more interesting than the bland look and feel of plastic.
- Encourage creative projects: If your child expresses an interest in, let’s say, dinosaurs, add features into their space that provide the opportunity to build this curiosity. From books, soft toys, painting and drawing utensils, materials to build their own ‘Jurassic world’… It’s easy to achieve and needn’t cost the earth. It’s amazing what a child’s imagination can create with some cardboard tubes, glitter, some old scraps of material and a bit of encouragement.
- Document and display achievements: Early learning facilities showcase children’s achievements. Replicating this at home is key, allowing your child to see their project grow, see their picture taking pride of place on the wall, or the anticipation of the cake they helped you bake displayed temptingly in the centre of the dinner table until the time to eat it arrives. Make a note of important thoughts and conversations – you can even put these on paper and stick them on the wall too. Such actions validate your child’s ideas and thoughts, as well as bringing them back to ponder some more if they choose.
- Let your child take on responsibilities: This could include helping prepare family meals, helping to gather cutlery and assisting with easy household chores, like making their bed or putting their shoes away.
- Join in! Children love parental and caregiver participation. It can transform a fun activity into an amazing one – and you’ll be surprised at the benefits you’ll get as well. One important Reggio Emilia concept is that the child self-guides their learning. So, rather than trying to instruct how and what your little one does, observe what they love doing and ask yourself how you could create a slightly more challenging version to deepen their learning and understanding. Sit back and watch, let them figure stuff out for themselves – and shower them with praise and encouragement as they go, even if they don’t get it right the first time (or even the second or third time…)
These are just some of the easy ways you can meld the wonderful Reggio Emilia approach into home life. At Evoke Early Learning, our childhood educators are always delighted to provide further tips on ways to integrate Reggio at home for nursery, toddler and kindergarten ages. We love it when parents and caregivers get involved – it’s key within the Evoke and Reggio Emilia philosophy.
Want to find out more? Contact our team today for more information.
Tracey is a highly qualified educator and administrator and brings a strong combination of academic achievement, extensive work experience in the education and business sectors as well as drive and passion to her role as General Manager of Operations at Evoke Early Learning.
Tracey has a Master of Education and an Advanced Diploma of Business and holds VIT Dual Registration to teach in Early Childhood and Primary School settings. She’s also a VIT Trained Mentor Teacher and has worked in ECEC settings as a Director, Educational Leader and as a Victorian Senior Area manager. Her recognition as a state finalist in the recent Director of the Year Awards is testament to her achievements in the early education sector.
Her extensive work experience also included a stint as Head of Curriculum at the Royal Children’s Hospital Education Institute and positions as head of ICT at a number of large primary and secondary schools. Tracey is also experienced in not-for-profit sessional kindergarten settings and long daycare environments, so she has a deep understanding of what’s required to support the needs and expectations of young children, educators, parents and caregivers.
Tracey is responsible for operational management at Evoke Early Learning’s Clayton centre in Oakleigh East and their Albert Park centre in South Melbourne and is deeply committed to leading and driving effective and sustainable service delivery throughout the company.
Tracey is passionate about making a meaningful difference to young children, their parents and the wider community and under her expert guidance, Evoke Early Learning is continuing to raise the bar in quality early education and childcare.
