Next Steps Toward Teaching the Reggio Way: Accepting the Challenge to Change

More than a presentation of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, yet not a "how to do it" volume, this book is a progress report of the steps American and Canadian teachers have taken in the last six years toward teaching the Reggio Emilia way. Comprising chapters by the leading advocates of the Reggio Emilia approach, it examines how real teachers in real classrooms are applying the principles of Reggio Emilia on an everyday basis. By combining discussion of Reggio Emilia concepts with examples of their application in American schools, it explores this emergent curriculum and helps future teachers see how to advocate for it in their own school or program. KEY TOPICS: Discusses the Reggio system's support for the rights of the very young; Multicultural coverage guides readers to an understanding of the delicate balance between school and community—gives them practical strategies for building strong community bonds; Two chapters on working with parents examine the role of parents in children's educational development and the interplay between them and their children's teachers. Illustrates through examples the Reggio Emilia approach as it happens in American schools—highlights similarities and differences between the Italian curriculum and the American, as well as between American and Italian attitudes on education, children, parents, community, and other topics. MARKET: For teachers or future teachers interested in learning more about the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

Table of Contents

I. INTRODUCTION TO REGGIO EMILIA.

II. REGGIO EMILIA AS SEEN THROUGH AMERICAN EYES.

III. THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE.

IV. ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE BY CHANGING RELATIONSHIPS.

V. ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE BY DOING PROJECT WORK.

VI. ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE BY CREATING THE APPROPRIATE SETTINGS.

VII. ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE TO CHANGE ON A LARGER SCALE.

VIII. CREATING A VISION FOR FUTURE CHANGE: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?