Early Ed.
Inquiry-driven learning
Manglares Discovery School was initially founded as an early education program
inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Reggio Emilia is a constructivist approach (which believes the child creates his own education through his interactions with the world around him), first developed after World War II by psychologist Loris Malaguzzi and parents in the town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, who believed that children would benefit from a new and progressive way of learning. Working under the assumption that children express their ideas and interests in a variety of ways (“a hundred languages”), this community-oriented, democratic style of learning was formed. Some of the foundational principles of Reggio Emilia include:
01
A Hundred Languages
Children express their ideas and interests in a variety of ways. One child may want to show his/her idea through writing, while another might express it through dance, art, writing, music, or numbers. Children are given opportunities to share their ideas with their peers, guides, and community through their hundred languages.
02
Image of the Child
The teachers and adults possess an image of the child, as being strong, capable, and unique. This principle guides the way we interact with our students, to grow inside each of them, independent autonmy, and a care and respect for each other and their space.
03
Community and collaboration
Parents are partners and the first teacher for the child before they enter
the education system. Parents are
encouraged to remain engaged with the classroom and school, to participate in their children’s education, and to extend and reinforce learning opportunities at home.
05
Environment as the Third Teacher
Children are surrounded by stimulating materials so they will be motivated to explore and respect the environment. Teachers act as guides, working alongside the children to investigate interests and ideas.
04
Projects
Through careful observation of children, teachers introduce learning provocations that build on their questions and interests.
Classroom projects are constructed
around these ideas, and may often last
weeks or months, and take many different twists and turns.
Documentation of learning (photos,
recordings, art work, etc.) serves to help both teachers and children review what they have learned. By empowering children in the learning process, the goal is to foster creative thinking and a love of learning.
We believe in the beauty of our small humans
If you observe closely into their world, you will notice an entire universe...
