April 2018
The child has
a hundred languages
a hundred hands
a hundred thoughts
a hundred ways of thinking
of playing, of speaking.
This quote from the famous poem by Loris Malaguzzi has become part of the anthem of the Reggio Emilia educational movement. It speaks of all the many ways children express themselves. We know that many of our young children do not yet express themselves verbally. It then becomes our responsibility to offer them many different opportunities for them to show us how they are feeling, show us what they are thinking, and show us what they are interested in
.
In the classroom, we honor this by offering many different learning centers. Some children are very creative and expressive when painting at the easel while others show their abilities and acumen building structures in the block area.
In addition to our fully integrated and enriched curriculum during the school day, we have recently been adding many more options for after school activities as well.
Mastering new skills in gymnastics, creating intricate buildings with Lego, acquiring new steps and moves in dance class, learning to cook with a recipe.….. are all ways that our students can now use their “hundred languages.”
Families have the opportunity to sign up for after school classes for 8 or 10 week sessions. This way a child can try the activity without committing to the full school year. Rather than pick children up at school and take them someplace else for these enrichment activities, parents can offer these options right in our school building.
The after school classes have been a very popular addition to our program. They have also provided us with a chance to see our children’s “hundred thoughts and hundred ways of thinking.”
