As we embark on this exciting new school year, I am filled with enthusiasm. Our Reggio Emilia school is deeply rooted in the Reggio Emilia Approach®, which celebrates a high image of the child who is rich and full of potential, and emphasizes the importance of strong, supportive relationships in their educational journey.
In our Reggio Emilia-inspired learning environment, we believe that education is not just about imparting knowledge. It is also about nurturing the Hundred Languages of young children. As Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach, beautifully articulated in his reflections on the pedagogy of relationships, “The hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking. The child has a hundred languages (and a hundred hundred more) but they steal ninety-nine. The school and the culture separate the head from the body. They tell the child to think without hands, to do without head, to listen and not to speak, to understand without joy. . . “ This reminds us of the profound importance of honoring all the languages of childhood. As parents and Reggio Emilia approach educators, we form a partnership that enriches your child’s learning experience. We ensure that their voices are heard, their ideas valued, and their potential realized in the learning process.
Furthermore, as highlighted in Loris Malaguzzi’s article, “For a Education Based on Relationships,” “Our image of the child no longer considers the child as isolated and egocentric, but rather as a co-constructor of knowledge, identity, culture, and values, always in relation with others and the environment.” Relationships play an important role in education. Not just between child and teacher, but extending to the family and the broader community. It is through these interconnected relationships that children learn.
This year, I encourage you to actively engage with us in this shared journey. Your insights, observations, and participation are invaluable as we work together to create an environment where your child can explore their Hundred Languages, discover, and grow. Our commitment is to build a strong, open line of communication between home and school. This fosters a sense of community and collaboration that will benefit your child in every way.
I am looking forward to the many conversations, projects, and discoveries we will share as a community.
To learn more about our Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy, learning environment, and approach, at La Scuola International School, feel free to contact our Admissions team at admissions@lascuolasf.org, schedule an in-person tour of one of our three Reggio inspired campuses, or visit our website.
Written by:
Dr. Beatrice Balfour
Director of Silicon Valley Pre-K and Elementary
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