There’s much to be gained when children get out of their comfort zone, embrace their growing independence and experience cause and effect first-hand; and although there may be some bumps along the way, many parents feel that the benefits of risky play outweigh the potential risk of harm.
Your ECEC service’s early learning philosophy must meet your family’s needs, and if you’re looking for an alternative educational philosophy, then the Steiner, Montessori or Reggio Emilia approaches may have appeal.
Going back to where it all began, schools in the educational project of Reggio Emilia use an innovative curriculum and teaching practice that views children as having extraordinary potential.
Dr Montessori based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities.
Dr Pikler was a strong advocate of the free movement of babies and claimed that propping a child into a position they couldn’t achieve on their own or that they couldn’t get out of, was tantamount to trapping them.
A young child’s experiences create a foundation for learning and behaviour, which can be enhanced greatly through early childhood education.
Independence is an essential part of what it means to be human. Every person has their own skills, strengths, likes and dislikes, and although it’s important for children to develop a sense of togetherness with other people, it’s also important that they develop a sense of themselves as individuals.
Open-ended play supports imagination and creativity, which is the foundation of the Reggio Emilia philosophy. When children are given a chance to play with little-to-no adult interaction or direction, they are able to express themselves freely and creatively because there are no limitations or expectations.
To help you determine the most suitable approach to early education for your child, we’ve put together this article which compares some of the most popular approaches to early education.
Stay in the loop. We will reply within 24 hours.
