1)  All children are competent, curious, and creative 

• At the very core of the Reggio Approach is the concept of wonder. 

• Children are natural scientists; driven by curiosity, with tremendous observational skills and an ability to form strong theories about the world around them. 

• A child’s creative expression (especially in preliterate stages) is their way of communicating what they understand about the world around them.

 

2) Essential learning takes place within a system of relationships 

• When children share their wonder with other children, their parents, or teachers, they engage in a richer and deeper learning process. 

• Skills: social-emotional, collaboration, language, trust, and connection with others

 

3) Children’s questions and interests are a foundation for learning experiences

• Collaborative wonder and the sharing of ideas plants the seeds for the class curriculum.

• Co-constructed curriculum – Ideas are generated by the children and then given structure and purpose by the teacher.

 

4) Children express themselves through many languages

• All forms of expression are valued: visual, verbal, written, movement and music.

• Children develop expressive competence and self-confidence.

 

5) Documentation allows children and adults to remember and reflect on learning experiences

• Throughout the learning process, teachers document the children’s experience through photographs, note-taking, child language, and through artifacts the children make themselves. It is compiled and shared with the focus on process, rather than product.

• Documentation gives children, their parents, and teachers a shared language and understanding for the children’s learning process. 

• Illustrates to children that their work and ideas have great value.