An Encounter with Reggio Emilia

Description

The documentation of young children's learning plays a vital role in the pre-schools of Reggio Emilia. This leading edge approach to bringing record-keeping and assessment into the heart of young children's learning is envied and emulated by educators around the world.

This unique, accessible and inspiring book is based upon a documentary approach successfully implemented by Stirling Council in Scotland, whose pre-school educators experienced dramatic improvements in their understandings about young children, how they learn and the potential unleashed in successfully engaging families in the learning process.

This approach, which is based on careful listening to children and observation of their interests and concerns, centres around recording and commentating on children's learning through photos, wall displays, videos and a variety of different media. The authors, both experienced educators include chapters here on:

• why early years’ educators should use documentation as a means to enhance young children's learning
• the values, principles and theories that underlie the 'Reggio' approach
• how to implement documentations into any early years setting, with real-life case studies and hints for avoiding common pitfalls
• how to involve, inspire and enthuse families and the wider community

Reviews

'An Encounter with Reggio Emilia is easy to read. Throughout the book's 77 pages the language is easily understood, the story of progress is easily followed and the main points in the text are presented very clearly … This book would be very useful as a key text for learning groups of early years professionals to use as the basis for shared discussion.' - Early Years Update

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Contents

What is this book about?

Chapter 1 A Documentation Approach to Early Learning : Why?

Chapter 2 A Documentation Approach To Early Learning :

What do we Mean?

Chapter 3 A Documentation Approach to Early Learning :

What does this look like in practice?

Chapter 4 A Documentation Approach to Early Learning :

Reaching New Understandings

Chapter 5 A Documentation Approach to Early Learning :

Reflections : What Next?

Author Bio

Linda Kinney is Head of Learning and Development in Stirling Council and a member of the Scottish Executive’s expert reference group on integrated children’s services

Pat Wharton is an early years’ pedagogical consultant currently working in partnership with Stirling Council’s Early Childhood Services on a documentation approach to early learning.

Related Subjects

1. Classroom Practice
2. Early Years
3. School Leadership, Management & Administration