Early Childhood

What is Reggio?

Reggio Emilia is an educational philosophy that centers the learning on the child. Through the “100 Languages” students explore their world through academic and social interactions.

What are the 100 Languages? 

Children are always thinking, expressing, understanding, and exploring our world through their many encounters and experiences each day. The 100 Languages is a metaphor for the amazing potential of children to knowledge-build and be creative.

What does the Reggio Inspired program at St. Stephen’s look like? 

Our classroom is an alliance between the families, the teachers, and the students.  The curriculum is emergent and allows for free expression.  The teachers are researchers working to determine the child’s needs and interests to create a classroom environment that promotes thinkers and contributors to support lifelong learning.  Exploration is at the heart of the day.  This includes free, imaginative play. We offer stations where children use found materials to create stories, dramatic play stations where imagination takes center stage, and quiet areas with books and puzzles.  As questions come up, we expand the learning through use of technology or other resources, including trips to local museums, science centers and libraries.  The environment is also a classroom.  We go outside as often as possible throughout the year, in all seasons.  

We continue to explore our core academic standards through this process within a social-emotional and inclusive environment.

Communication between teachers and families is key.  Daily and weekly communication through various platforms is an important part of the process.  We also listen to the students throughout the day so that they can explain what they are working on or creating.  These stories, coupled with photos, make the learning visible and create great talking points for you, your child and the teacher.