Why We Love Reggio Emilia

Our Preschoolers Thrive!

When you visit our preschool program, you might notice that it’s a bit different. While the rooms are as bright and colorful as you'd expect, with plenty of projects and recurring themes adorning the walls, as you dig a little deeper, you’ll start to notice some differences.

There are no mass-manufactured toys or photocopied worksheets. Students are not sitting at desks but moving about. Preschoolers are working in groups or perhaps even presenting to the class. What you’re seeing is a Reggio Emilia-inspired classroom. 

Reggio Emilia is an innovative, child-centered educational approach that fosters creativity, independence, and deep, collaborative learning. It emphasizes the importance of the student's role in their own learning and sees children, even these very young 3- and 4-year-olds, as capable, curious, and competent learners who can take an active role in their education.

Key principles of our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach include:

Child-Centered Learning. Students are active participants in their learning journey, with the belief that they learn best through experiences.

The Role of the Environment. The classroom and other spaces are seen as the "third teacher." The learning environment is carefully curated to be rich with opportunities for exploration, creativity, and collaboration.

The Teacher as a Facilitator. Teachers are not the sole source of knowledge but act as guides who help children explore their interests. They encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Documentation of Learning. Teachers document students’ learning through photos, videos, and written observations. This tracks progress, reflects on learning, and provides a valuable communication tool for parents.

Collaboration and Social Interaction. Learning is a collaborative process. Children work together on projects, discuss ideas, and share their findings, building a sense of community and teamwork.

Project-Based Learning. Children engage in long-term projects where they explore topics or questions that interest them. These projects are child-led, allowing for deep exploration and inquiry.

The tenets of Reggio Emilia fit perfectly into our educational philosophy, providing a solid foundation for our young students as they enter a formal schooling environment for the first time. 

Check out this video showcasing our students' work, thoughtfully inspired by Reggio Emilia approach.

Hampstead Academy's Pre-K Program

Unlike more traditional preschool settings, our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach:

Fosters Independence. From the very beginning, students are encouraged to think for themselves and take responsibility for their learning. This builds confidence and self-esteem.

Promotes Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving. The open-ended nature of the approach encourages students to ask questions, experiment, and think critically about the world around them.

Encourages Creativity and Expression. Through arts, music, and other creative activities, children are given opportunities to express themselves in a variety of ways, enhancing their creativity. You will also find that there are no store-bought toys or mass-produced worksheets used in our classrooms.

Supports Social-Emotional Development. By working in groups and reflecting on their work, students become more empathetic, better communicators, and excellent collaborators. These skills set them up for early success as they progress through school and life.

Builds Strong Relationships. The highly collaborative and communicative approach encourages a close connection between children, teachers, and families. This partnership helps ensure that the child's needs are met and that learning is supported in multiple environments.

Increases Motivation, Engagement, and Retention. Since the learning process is based on the student’s interests it can increase motivation and engagement. Children are more likely to retain information when they feel personally invested in the topic.

Promotes Holistic Development. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum values all areas of development: cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. It supports the growth of the whole child.

This past year, our preschool students have focused on the theme of water, just as our other classrooms have. They’ve been asked to create portraits of themselves swimming and of various ocean creatures. They’ve discussed water conservation and pollution as well as their impact on wildlife and society. These discussions and projects have been in-depth, covering everything from the science of what’s happening and why, to their personal feelings, as well as how they can have a positive impact on the situation. They’ve met with activists and artists, and they’ll even conduct their own beach clean-up project in which the collected garbage will be recycled into their very own art projects. 

Our Reggio Emilia-inspired program provides a holistic educational experience for preschoolers that gives students agency over their learning. The result is a confident, creative, and well-rounded young student who’s ready for anything, especially for the next phase of their educational journey. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a tour of our preschool classroom and facilities.