The Child First: Montessori, Reggio Emilia System and Contemporary Approaches to Pre-School Education

Description

Concept by Marta Mandolini

During this course, participants will discover some of the most relevant educational approaches for children that emerged in Italy and Europe from the 20th century onward.

The Montessori Method and Loris Malaguzzi’s Reggio Emilia method will be discussed in an interactive way: This will include comparing the different theories and involving participants in an active reflection about their way of teaching and the importance of the child being the protagonist of his/her development.

A part of the course will be dedicated to Bruno Munari’s method “Playing with Art” as well as an overview of Positive Education and Positive Psychology.

The outcome of all of this is the activation of a thought-provoking learning process. Participants will practice critical and creative thinking skills, inspired by the alternative methods mentioned above. Independence, freedom, creativity, child-centeredness, respect, and global development are the keywords of the course.

By the end of the course, participants will have the chance to create a project for their school that incorporates the knowledge acquired, following a Design Thinking process.

Learning outcomes

The course will help the participants to:

• Acquire knowledge about the Montessori Method, Reggio Emilia approach, Bruno Munari’s method “Playing with Art”, Positive Education;
• Learn how children can be protagonists of their psychological, social, and physical development;
• Learn how to set a positive and responsive relationship with children inspired by the different methods;
• Foster your critical and creative thinking;
• Be able to evaluate and integrate elements of the different approaches in your school.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction & preschool approaches

Course introduction

• Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
• Icebreaker activities using drama for trust and ensemble building.

Setting goals

• Identification of needs and goals for each participant and relevant populations;
• Approaches on learning in preschool education (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Positive education);
• Swot analysis for teachers;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools.

Day 2 – Preschool approaches

• Approaches on learning in preschool education (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Positive education);
• Role play.

Day 3 – Bruno Munari method

• Bruno Munari method;
• Groups activity: life skills education through art from an early age.

Day 4 – Learning approaches

• Approaches on learning in preschool education (Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Positive education);
• Role play.

Day 5 – Final project

• Final school project/design thinking for school.

Day 6 – Course closure & cultural activities

• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
• Excursion and other external cultural activities.