Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/a-study-of-hands-chicago-commons-explores-reggio-emilia/5014442/
Chicago Commons is a 107-year-old non-profit, social service agency that chooses to work with low-income, inner city communities of Chicago. Its Child Development Program offers care and education for just less than 1,000 children from infancy through school-age at six different locations. Types of programs include Early Head Start, Head Start, Subsidized Child Care, State Pre-kindergarten, and a Family Child Care Network.Rationale for Exploring the Reggio Emilia Approach
Exploring Reggio for Chicago Commons was about new possibilities. It was about offering staff opportunities to become more reflective thinkers and facilitators who could support children in becoming problem solvers, decision makers, negotiators, collaborators, and good communicators. Most of our children come from communities lacking in resources and lacking in possibilities. The Reggio approach suggests new possibilities - possibilities of developing skills, knowledge, and attitudes in children that could help them become more competent adults and life-long learners.
A secondary rationale for exploring Reggio has evolved over time - this approach demonstrates a powerfully strong and unconditional respect for children and their ideas. In addition, exploring the Reggio approach invites and encourages adults, including teaching staff, directors, family workers, and even parents to be thinkers, creators, communicators, and collaborators as they become more thoughtful and ...