Reggio Emilia: Learning Environments that Reflect Culture and Community

Course Description  

This course offers an example of work with young children inspired by an understanding of the pedagogy of Reggio Emilia. We will start with understanding of  the Reggio Emilia approach through the lens of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system theory.Then we will look at the work of one community of children and their adults at the Denver-based GrowHaus and see a sample of their deep inquiry in a food growing setting. Course participants will explore their own community of children and families for its unique learning potential.

Objectives

Learners will:

1. explore the value of creating a community as a context for learning through the lenses of the Reggio Emilia approach and the ecological theory of Bronfenbrenner
2. look deeply at one’s  own culture and the culture of the families with whom they work and its relationship with the classroom community
3. consider ways to nurture relationships and partnerships
4. learn about The GrowHaus- a Denver community-based food justice, food growing and education organization that embraces the health and wellbeing of young - as an example of a learning community
5. explore the projects children and their teachers conducted at The GrowHaus as an example of project-based inquiry inspired by Reggio Emilia and ecological systems theory
6. engage in dialogue about the process of making children’s learning visible and bringing the children’s voices front and center
7. explore ways the educators at The GrowHaus shared their learning with families and community members
8. conclude with explorations of ways to partner and collaborate with families in one's own context—inviting family expertise, sharing research questions and tapping into community resources.

Instructors

Dr. Lori Ryan