Implementing Reggio Emilia Philosophy in the Early Years Classroom

Implementing Reggio Emilia Philosophy in the Early Years Classroom

When

12 May 2025 - 14 May 2025
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Australia/Melbourne

Where

Melbourne
Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC

Event Tag

This workshop invites participation from individuals with experience and/or interest in the Reggio Emilia approach from preschool and primary education. In general, the Reggio Emilia philosophy is a constructivist approach to teaching, learning and advocacy for children. In its most simple form, it is a way of listening, interacting, observing what children know, are curious about and what challenges them. Teachers record these observations to reflect on developmentally appropriate ways to help children expand their academic and social potentials. Long term projects connect core academic areas in and out of the classroom.

The workshop is a three-part series designed to increase participants’ knowledge, skill and confidence in adapting and integrating the Reggio Emilia approach in your setting. Join us in exploring the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Objectives
Participants will be able to:

  • Increase their knowledge of the philosophy and theories behind the Reggio Emilia Approach and gain the confidence to continue their exploration of the principles
  • Carefully peel off the layers and begin to examine the core principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach
  • Build on the knowledge, skill, practical strategies and confidence gained from previous sessions and begin to develop strategies on how to adapt the Reggio Emilia Approach in their setting.

Outline 
Day 1: What are the foundations of the Reggio Emilia Approach?

  • Overview of the history, philosophical and theoretical foundations of the Reggio Emilia Approach
  • Review cultural variations and ways to use that as a bridge in adapting the Reggio Emilia Approach in their setting
  • Core principles and how they are essential to the Reggio Emilia Approach?
  • The need to continuously reflect on their own philosophy of Early Childhood Education
  • Generate action plans for both continued learning and development of skill for adapting the Reggio Emilia philosophy

This hands-on workshop will equip the participants with knowledge and skills to answer the following:

  • What is the significance of the history of the Reggio Emilia to the approach?
  • What are the underpinning tenets of the philosophical and theoretical foundations of the Reggio Emilia Approach?
  • How do you make teaching and learning visible?

Day 2: What are central operating principles of the Reggio Emilia? How can they be made visible?

  • How are the principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach essential to the approach?
  • Deconstruct and examine each principle in relation to ‘your’ setting
  • Explore practical strategies of how the principles can be made visible
  • Generate action plans for both continued learning and development of skill for adapting the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
  • Being a Reflective Practitioner

Day 3: Adapting the Reggio Emilia Approach the Early Years Setting – Where do you start?

  • Reflect on their personal journey and teaching practices with the lens of a teacher as a researcher.
  • Engage in an Imagineering session:
    • experience a visual tour of teacher and children’s explorations projects and investigations
    • mind map our “ideal” environment that is respectful to the image of the child
  • Explore materials and construct plans for ateliers that enhance the emergence of children many language
  • Explore ways the Reggio Emilia Approach can be adapted
  • A careful look at: What, How, Where, When to adapt – a look at the major components that must be visible
  • Using data to inform your decision and practice
  • Being a Reflective Practitioner

Trainer’s Profile
Dr. Ezeh is an international educational consultant, trainer and speaker based in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA. With over 27 years in higher education, Ezeh served as the Professor and Director of the Early Childhood Education program at Aquinas College. In addition, to developing and teaching early childhood and general education courses, Ezeh developed and taught a semester-long course on Reggio Emilia approach and served as faculty liaison for their lab schools.  Dr. Ezeh has served as an adult and parent educator, not only teaching parents but listening and learning from those who can best describe what life is like for families. As a consultant, she has assisted several non-profit agencies, setting up schools, providing curriculum and evaluation expertise at a level that many would not normally have been able to access.

Dr. Ezeh has extensive experience conducting professional development, parent education workshops and in school consultation and coaching early childhood practitioners and elementary school teachers.

She is the founder of the landmark program Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) – an organization that provides access to early learning opportunities to vulnerable children in Michigan USA. In 2013, understanding the need to support the entire family, she developed Empowering Parents Impacting Children (EPIC) model, a two generational approach that provides all families’ access to a Family Coach who supports their efforts to meet basic needs and increase social capital.

Her work on behalf of vulnerable children has earned her speaking engagements around the world and numerous awards – including the 2022 High Scope International Charles Eugene Beatty Award Courageous Leader Award; 2021 Aquinas College Distinguished Service Award; 2020 Grand Rapids Community College Distinguished Alumni of the Year; 2019 Distinguished Community Trustee Award highest from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce; 2018 West Michigan Woman of the Year; one of the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan in 2018; the 2017 Sojourner Truth Award and 2016 GVSU Alumni of the Year and Giant in Education Award.

Ezeh now devotes her time and attention on making learning and the teaching process visible, developing emerging leaders, advocating for women and young girls, and taking a two generation approach to early childhood education to vulnerable communities.

Dr. Ezeh has published two books – her memoir – Nwaenyi: Child of an Elephant: Lessons Learned from My Father, a Nigerian Chief, About Child Development and Affirmations and about her work with ELNC – Providing Hyper-Localized Early Childhood Programming: A Framework from the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC).

Methodology
This workshop will offer varieties of opportunities for experiential and collaborative learning. Participants will have the opportunity and are expected to be active participants in the discussion, both within the small and large group formats; reflecting on their own journey and learning in a supportive environment that allow them to gain practical knowledge that can be applied to teaching practices.

Target Audience
Teachers, early childhood educators, curriculum coordinator, parent educator and administrators of children aged 0 to 8 years.

Fees
1 person: AUD1300.00/person
2 to 4 person: AUD1200.00/person
5 person & more: AUD990.00/person

Venue
Melbourne, Australia (exact location to be advised)
Information on Entering Australia Requirements

Other Details
Duration: 3 days, 18 hours
Closing Date: 15 Mar 2025

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