References
Dietze, B., & Kashin, D. (2016). Empowering Pedagogy For Early Childhood Education. Toronto, Canada: Pearson.
FAQs – North American Reggio Emilia Alliance. (n.d). Retrieved November 2, 2015
Options for Learning
Building a Pinterest Board
Reggio Emilia Inspired Programs
Reggio Emilia inspired programs is currently extremely recognized as responsive to families and children. This approach was developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This Reggio Emilia approach follows distinct guiding principles that consist of the image of the child, the three subjects of education, the image of the teacher, pedagogical documentation, environment as the third teacher, and organization as fundamental. This approach is such a high discussion in early childhood care because it’s much different then other approaches. Reggio Emilia schools reinforce and focuses on the idea of being an approach rather than a model, which is what makes these schools unique (Dietze & Kashin, 2016, p. 101). Since Reggio Emilia inspired programs are so unique because each program focuses on interest and needs of children, no two Reggio Emilia inspired programs are the identical. It is so widely know because it doesn’t focus on just a curriculum or method, but instead connects to educational theories and community-constructed values (North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, 2015).
What I found interesting about the Reggio Emilia approach was that photographs are prohibited in the schools, this is done to reinforce that they don’t follow a model and Reggio Emilia schools follow an approach. I found this interesting because it makes this approach so unique and requires Reggio Emilia inspired programs to be different and to not follow a specific guideline, but allows schools to follow the same approach and fundamental ideas. I also enjoyed learning more about “loose parts”. While researching about Reggio Emilia inspired programs, I learned about how they incorporate loose parts into this approach, and how it is connected to how children think about things.
Building this Pinterest board allowed me to view different techniques and material educators use while applying the Reggio Emilia approach. Being able to view the different activities that educators come up with that reflect this approach is something I find very useful and will take away into my practice.
Outdoor Programming for Young Children
Froebel inspired outdoor programming. He believed that the development of children was enhanced when their play happened in the garden. Outdoor programs have been growing more and more interest as forest schools, outdoor classrooms, and eco- or green schools have been developed. This has become an issue in early childhood care because of the decline in children’s active play outdoors and increased obesity rates. Activities outdoor allow children to be in the fresh air and they are able to roam and run around freely. Outdoor programs allow children to use the imagination freely while interacting with nature; it also allows them to take advantage of all the resources nature has to offer. Benefits of outdoor programming include reduced stress levels, higher levels of motor fitness more in-depth fantasy play and more positive feeling and interactions to the people and living creatures in the space (Dietze & Kashin, 2016, p. 101-102). With all the benefits outdoor programming has to offer, it isn’t present in a lot of schools. Although it is become more recognized, I believe it is something crucial for children especially with all the benefits.
Key learning topics/issues that I learned while researching about outdoor programming what overall be how beneficial it can be to children. I didn’t realize how simply being outdoors and using your imagination could enhance a child’s development so dramatically that it is shown to reduce stress levels and promote more positive feelings towards others through interaction. Another key factor I discovered about outdoor programming would be how easy it is to come up with things to play using nature. There are so many materials like rocks, sticks, mud, acorns, leaves and berries that the nature offers us and its important for us to take advantage of the outdoors and all it has to offer. I just am amazed how all these things are at our fingertips and it can help the development and creativity of children.
Building this Pinterest Board has help me gain insight into how other professional educators use and apply outdoor programming. I found the Pinterest Board to be a very useful tool, and can be a very useful tool for me to take away into my practice. As a result of building this Pinterest Board, I learned different techniques and activities that I can use while applying outdoor programming. Using Pinterest Boards in the future will be helpful with any activity or method, not necessarily just on outdoor programming for young children.
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