Developmental and Reggio Emilia Approach

 

 

We believe that learning best occurs in a collaborative environment. Students have a higher motivation to learn when they have a real stake in their own learning. The teacher shares control of the classroom and students are allowed to explore, experiment, and discover on their own.

 

The focus in our classrooms is on options, rather than uniformity. Learners are treated as co-creators in the learning process, as individuals with ideas and issues that deserve attention and consideration.

 

Our goal is to develop in students a sense of responsibility, initiative, self-motivation, and cooperation as they work in the classroom. To encourage these qualities the classroom environment is set up to provide students the opportunities to make choices, to initiate and carry out their own projects, and to take part in the decision-making.

 

Collaborative Teaching strengthens the Discovery program. Teachers work in partnership with each other. Collaboration time is spent weekly refining materials for thematic units, discussing the needs of students, and creating a program that focuses on best practices. Collaborative sessions focus on looking at assessment data, writing samples, sharing strategies, and discussing special needs of children.

 

Parents are a vital component to the Reggio Emilia philosophy. At Discovery Falcon parents are viewed as partners and collaborators. Teachers respect parents as each child's first teacher and involve parents.