Nadirchat

When we look at this experience we can't help but wonder if these two boys had a plan before they began their work or did it just happen? To suggest that the building of this system was intentional would imply a high level of thinking. Some would say that children this young do not have the ability to plan ahead. What do you think?

How Far Have We Come? In recent years, due largely to the power of social media, many educators have joined the Reggio journey. Fueled by powerful images of extraordinary work, teacher's have been inspired to produce similar results. The question is, have they grasped the underlying support system that brings this phenomenal dialogue to light? I call it a dialogue because without the reciprocity between the protagonists (children, families and educators), the pedagogy of listening, the gift of time, the nurturing of relationships, the supportive environment, and mindfulness, nothing meaningful can happen. It is here, in this intricate system that learning happens.   Over the last twenty years, teachers and tour groups have flooded our centre in hopes of finding inspiration to make changes to their traditional methods of working with children. The patterns are the same; one visit, a scramble to view the documentation, the frenzy to take the best pictures, pens scribbling notes, and ...

Coco�s Snowman  4 year-old Coco showed tremendous confidence while painting the last scene of �Sadie and the Snowman�. She discussed, with the teacher, what she wanted to paint and how she wanted it done. All the while, she learned to apply the delicate water color painting techniques she had learned, with precision. The end result is winter scenery come alive! �We build snowmen in winter time. But they melt in summer time. I wanted to paint the snowman from the book. I drew the cat and the birds so the snowman won�t be lonely.�

Apathy It is a teachers greatest downfall and greatest road block. To merely accept that each day is like the one before; to go through the motions of teaching, yet never be engaged; to come to the classroom with no passion; to simply look at children but not know them; to find no joy; to refuse to learn new things; to never see the possibilities of what can be if you truly are vested in your craft. This is apathy; the criminal that robs, not only you, but more importantly your students of the opportunity to live in a classroom that promises to support them in their journey of learning. It is easy to take the easy road! To repeat the same lesson plans, to live each day in your classroom like the one before. But if you dare to break the mold of apathy, to set yourself free of this draining monster, then you will be on the path of discovering the true nature of being a teacher. Here is a simple plan to assist you in your new journey; Write your definition of the word teacher. Then, be ho...

It's a colorful world and the best way to explore it is by engaging our senses. The combination of light, shadow and sorting provides a rich experience for these young preschoolers.

There's been such a buzz of late with the concept of inquiry based learning. Especially since the new Full Day Learning for Kindergarten in Ontario is based on this model. Truth be told, there have been small pockets of child care centres in Canada that have been following this model for a very long time.  Call it what you will; inquiry based, project work, child initiated, inspired learning, they all find their root in the Reggio Approach. Twenty years ago, I discovered this unique system. Today I'm still discovering the Reggio Approach. You'd think after three visits to Italy, countless workshops, trips to the US, conferences and teaching at Centennial College, that I'd be a master. Think again. I'm a student! There are so many challenges in this type of system. How do you follow the lead of the children? Are you truly basing your work on their inquiry, their thinking and theory? Are you deconstructing their thoughts and then assisting them in constructing new kno...

Do you find yourself searching for those perfect "loose or natural materials" to provoke thoughtful work? Look no further than the front yard. Nature provides the perfect gift, an abundance of autumn leaves. In the hands of young children, the possibilities are endless.