Curriculum & Philosophy
Reggio Emilia
Inspired Curriculum
Child Inspired
Project Based Learning
“Let’s work together to keep education friendly, light hearted, and respectful to all participants. Respect the individual timing and rhythm of development. Do nothing without joy!”
~Professor Loris Malaguzzi
Montessori Inspired Environment
Challenging, Engaging Classrooms And Materials
"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."
~Maria Montessori
RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers)
Respectful,
Child-Centered Care
"All children accomplish milestones in their own way, in their own time."
~Magda Gerber
Reggio Emilia approach
Benefits of the Reggio Emilia approach
Long Term Projects – Curriculum planning is based on children’s interests leading to open-ended and often long-term projects that allow children to further explore their interests with teacher direction.
Carefully Crafted Classroom Environment – We consider the learning environment as the third teacher. We place an emphasis on using natural materials that can be used in more than one way to encourage an interest in the natural world and exploration. We include provocations that are both thought provoking and inviting to explore with. We do not have any battery operated toys or toys with commercial characters and the majority of our toys are wooden and open-ended.
Community and Parental Involvement – We work closely with parents to create a support network for the child and family as a whole. We view children as ready and capable of taking the lead in their own learning process. This gives children the confidence to direct their learning by asking questions, problem solving, and the opportunity to flourish inside their own imagination and creativity.
“Hundred Languages” of Expression – Children benefit from using many “languages” to express themselves. The languages include writing, building, sculpting, and dramatic play. Children develop skills and problem-solving ability through hands-on practice.
outdoor classrooms
At Discovery Days we value nature and the outdoors. All children will be invited to spend anywhere from 2-4 hours each day outside. Our outdoor play yards have been designed to be "Outdoor Classrooms" with a variety of activities and experiences for them to explore. Our Outdoor Classrooms have gardens, sand play, a mud kitchen, bike path, creeks, citrus trees, play structures an outdoor art area and ample time to enjoy childhood.
Montessori inspired classrooms
Classrooms with carefully chosen materials
The teacher, child, and environment create a learning triangle. The classroom is prepared by the teachers to encourage independence, freedom within limits, and a sense of order. The child, through individual choice, makes use of what the environment offers to develop herself, interacting with the teacher when support and/or guidance is needed.
Each classroom environment has an array of natural materials available to the children for exploration. We believe in establishing a connection with the natural world even from the youngest age. We do not have battery operated toys nor toys with commercial characters. Our materials offer endless open ended play opportunities, group play and individual play.
Multiage groupings are a hallmark of the Montessori Method: younger children learn from older children; older children reinforce their learning by teaching concepts they have already mastered. This arrangement also mirrors the real world, where individuals work and socialize with people of all ages and disposition.
RIE
(Resources for Infant Educators)
Respectful Caregiving
Using R.I.E. (Resources for Infant Educarers) inspired concepts all toys and materials will be items that children can manipulate themselves. As R.I.E. founder Magda Gerber once said, “In contrast, entertaining kinds of toys, such as mobiles or later on, windup toys, cause a passive infant to watch an active toy. This trains the child to expect to be amused and entertained, and sets the scene for later TV watching.” Thus said, toys and materials are carefully chosen as we want to encourage active learners.
Also R.I.E. inspired teachings are implemented in how teachers are trained to communicate with the children. Caregivers will invite the children to be an active part in their caregiving and routines. For example when giving an infant a diaper change, we believe in using that time as a quality time, by engaging the child and allowing them to become involved in their care. Also in accordance with the R.I.E. philosophy, children are not put into a jumper, baby swing or “bouncy” infant seats, where the child cannot naturally get into the position itself. Instead the infants will be put into situations where their freedom of movement is not constricted and they are able to freely explore in a safe environment.
The R.I.E. philosophy instills an underlying respect for the child. We view the child as a unique individual who deserves respect in every interaction
