The Arlington Early Education and Care

1. The Reggio Emilia Approach

The Reggio Emilia Approach is a child-focused educational practice which is named after the city in which it was first developed and practiced, in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. The Reggio Emilia approach was developed by educator Loris Malaguzzi, who functioned under the belief that children are both smart and capable enough to construct their own learning pathways.

This practice is implemented within some of our centres. We strongly believe that children can construct their own knowledge and hold the ability to develop thoughts and ideas independently, as practised within the following principles:

• Children are capable of constructing their own learning
• Community is important and children learn by collaborating with their communities
• Humans are natural communicators and children should be encouraged to express themselves
• The environment is the third teacher and must be enriching and supportive
• Teachers are partners, nurturers and guides to children and help them explore their interests through projects
• Children’s learning must be documented

A key tool of the program is found within the poem written by founder Loris Malaguzzi, “No Way. The Hundred is There“, voicing the idea that children are at the centre of this educational approach, equipped with 100 languages.

In Reggio, the expression ‘the environment as the third teacher’ shares Malaguzzi’s belief that the physical environments in which we raise and educate children have a strong impact on the nurturing, learning and development they receive. There is a key emphasis which is placed on the quality of the learning environment, which is why our centres boast state-of-the-art facilities. Productive learning environments can both support and enrich a child’s ability to enhance their ‘sense of self’. Educational environments which actively participate in the Reggio Emilia Approach encourage creativity, active communication, personal relationships, teamwork, learning, ethics, and responsibility.

2. Montessori Method of Education

The Montessori approach to education inspires children to become confident, responsible, independent learners, who are enabled and encouraged to trust in their own abilities. The inclusivity and positive social development facilitated by the Montessori program forms the basis for a persistent attachment to learning and knowledge.

Research has shown that children in a Montessori approach has shown more success than any other educational approach in the world. The Montessori method offers 5 areas of study: Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Language, and Cultural Studies.

• Practical life: In this area the children develop fine motor control, coordination, independence, concentration and a sense of responsibility.
• Sensorial: The activities in the sensorial area help children broaden and refine their senses and enable them to become more logical, perceptive and aware.
• Math: This area of activities gives a sequential understanding of mathematical concepts.
• Language: The activities in this area enable the children to engage with each other and achieve collaboration and cooperation. Many Montessori schools choose to teach Italian, due to the country in which the program was founded.
• Cultural activities: These holistic activities help the children develop an interest in learning about the world, science, nature, history, culture, music and art.

The Montessori classroom is a well-prepared environment with specific Montessori materials for each area. Each child works independently by choosing the activities from the five areas of learning. By engaging in all the activities from these five areas, the Children develop a strong foundation for both their academic and personal wellbeing.

Montessori education contributes many benefits to the child’s early learning. The hands-on experience, practical day to day application, and problem-solving activities help the child to become an active learner for life. Through Montessori education each child becomes a confident, responsible, independent learner, who trusts in his/her own abilities. Research has also shown that Montessori children develop a greater sense of community.