Reggio-Inspired Learning Experiences

✨👁️‍🗨️ NEW self-paced / on-demand version of this class coming soon! 👁️‍🗨️✨

This class is inspired by my professional and academic background as a Reggio-inspired Educator. It is designed to engage young children in diverse child-originated and teacher-framed learning experiences, while providing ongoing opportunities to share & socialize with peers. It is a class that upholds the image of the child as capable and competent, and intentionally invites mixed-age groupings.

I utilize Developmentally Appropriate Practices to support learners in unique explorations of STEM, literacy, art, imaginative play, music and movement. Here's what we'll do (more detailed information will be provided to enrolled learners):

Week 1: Getting to Know You
Week 2: Exploring Our Senses
Week 3: Nature's Wonders
Week 4: Storytelling and Imagination
Week 5: Music and Movement
Week 6: Science Adventures
Week 7: Art and Expression
Week 8: Mini-Projects Week
Week 9: Celebrations and Reflections

In each class learners can expect to engage in "show & tell", explorations related to weekly topics and practice skills including:

*Social-Emotional: Engaging with peers and teacher, taking turns, listening
*Cognitive: exploring topics; discovering & forming connections 
*Speech & Language: introduction to new/ diverse vocabulary, guided discussion (Guided discussion is an active learning technique that encourages students to reflect on their own experiences, explore alternative ways of thinking, connect to a topic, and improve analytical skills.), Q & A
*Physical: fine motor (building, writing & drawing), gross motor (creative movement- *please note, this is a skill we typically explore the least in this class...although we sometimes have "dance parties", if the children are interested) 

My teaching style is informed by Social Constructivism and Reggio-inspired practices. During the first week of each session we focus on  "getting to know you" classes where I present a variety of topics as a way of assessing interests, and modeling sharing & discussion techniques. From there I design classes related to the interests of the children and/or the weekly topics. In each class I include examples of topics in the form of books, pictures, and occasionally short video clips and/or props. This is always balanced by regular opportunities for social engagement, discussion and child-led sharing. 

Here's a running list of *some* of what we've explored in this class: animals & plants (life cycles, features, habitats), baking, bio-architecture, composting, robots, vacuums, houses, castles, buildings, construction, furniture design & construction, artists, books, writing stories, drawing, animation, kindness, families, opposites, colors, writing letters, music, dancing, space, rockets, all sorts of imaginary creatures, electricity, batteries...

Let me know if you have any questions!