Reggio Emilia Approach
Reggio Emilia Approach
THE HUNDRED LANGUAGES OF CHILDREN
According to Loris Malaguzzi, every form of expression is valuable and shapes the child's identity. We are proud to offer an enriched learning environment at our school where children can freely use these hundreds of languages. In the Reggio Emilia approach, the child is defined by the concept of the hundred languages of children. This metaphor emphasizes that children's ways of understanding and expressing the world are not limited to verbal communication. Children express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through play, dance, drawing, sculpture, gestures, dramatic play, storytelling, and many other creative ways.
How do we implement this approach at Forestkids?
- In our daily activities, we provide children with opportunities for creative expression through various materials (clay, paint, natural materials, recycled products).
- Our workshops focus on the process; we respect and provide space for the child's choice of which "language" they want to use to express their thoughts.
- Our teachers are active observers; they notice, support, and document the symbolic languages children use.
- Children's drawings, verbal expressions, and creations are displayed on classroom boards, giving visibility to their voice and language.
Reggio Emilia Approach
LIGHT AND SHADOW IN THE APPROACH
In Reggio Emilia methodology, "the environment is the third teacher". The light-shadow games conducted in each of our classrooms increase children's awareness of the physical world while also supporting visual perception, spatial thinking, and social interaction skills.
For example, the "catch the shadow" game that children play with shadows created under overhead projector light promotes both movement coordination and group communication. At the same time, these games, integrated into dramatic expression and fairy tale narratives, also make significant contributions to children's language development and imagination.
