"The Reggio Emilia classroom is very welcoming and aesthetically pleasing. Teachers draw inspiration from the community, their students’ cultures, nature, and fill the room with natural, colorful, and useful materials – from musical instruments to seashells. Reggio-inspired classrooms are designed to encourage relationships, communication, and collaboration through play. Classroom materials are thoughtfully incorporated to encourage creativity, problem-solving work, experimentation, exploration and open-ended play.
An open environment for learning also creates flexibility, giving teachers the space to be more responsive to the individual needs of each child in the classroom. When a child is given the chance to explore something on her own – particularly in nature – she can take the time to learn and understand more about the object or concept. The teacher may ask the curious student to draw a picture to describe this object, or act out a feeling it provokes using pretend play. The possibilities are endless when you open the door to open-ended exploration, and discover the educational power of play.
This alternative-style classroom is set up in a way that reflects the culture that the child living in. Elements of light, transparency, and natural materials are a big focus of the aesthetic design within the classroom. Children are given access to learning materials (such as books, crayons, and blocks), but the layout and style of the class is built around the notion that children should be inspired to direct their own learning. There is also some open space for children to explore their hundred languages, and to allow free movement where it is desired – such as dancing, making music, or playing pretend. There are no assigned seats in a Reggio Emilia classroom. This concept encourages organic opportunities for exploration and connection, and sparks a real joy in learning for young students."
