Dear Fellow NSW Parents,
When Roleen called an impromtu meeting two weeks ago to discuss the upcoming Wonder of Learning – The Hundred Languages of Children exhibit, I, and 20 other parents, jumped at the chance to learn more about what this is all about. I mean, we’ve all heard countless references to Reggio, but can any of us really define or describe what it is? Do we have a handle on the theories and methodologies of our teachers? I know I don’t, but I am quite curious.
Mostly, what we can confirm is that whatever is taking place during the days at NSW is having a deeply beneficial effect on our children. They are effervescent and expressive. Happy and secure. Creative and thoughtful. I’ve learned so much by watching the teachers and how they relate to the children, how they listen. Roleen spoke about the Reggio philosophy and why listening is so integral to it. In the words of Carlina Rinaldi, President of Reggio Children in Reggio Emilia, Italy:
“Listening has sensitivity…sensitivity to that which connects us to others…Your well being is my well being and I can’t be okay if you’re not okay…Listening is a time full of silence and wonder…It’s clear that to listen is an essential part of our relationships. The school is a context of listening. School and humanity are strongly related.
Listening forms questions, doubts and crisis. To be in crisis is not bad. To be in crisis alone is terrible….It takes courage to listen to ourselves, to listen to differences, to be open to differences.
Listening is not easy to do, sometimes it takes infinite patience. Paience that I have trouble mustering at times. But it’s vital to remember that children – and all of us no matter what age we are – need to be heard. When we are heard we feel validated. Listening to our children connects us to them. Carlina Rinaldi says,
“We have the responsibility to observe and reflect what we see and hear.
The act of listening is observing. Documentation is our way of supporting the process of learning, to support individual and group learning.”
The Wonder of Learning exhibit is a remarkable museum quality traveling exhibition that tells the story of the Reggio Emilia educational experience, and it’s documentation of systems in the Reggio philosophy that support children’s explorations, observations and inquiries. The goal is to call attention to the importance of education and schools as places of community, collaboration, research and innovation. Personally, I am so moved and continuously grateful that my child is in a preschool that nurtures compassion and understanding for the greater world around them. I believe that no matter what elementary schools our children move on to, they will have gained important skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
I cannot encourage you enough to go see the exhibit. It’s incredible! (But, please, do not bring your small children as it’s designed for adults only and is quite engrossing.)
And, if you’d like to go deeper in you own understanding of the Reggio philosophy then please sign up for the “School as a Place of Community, Collaboration, Research and Innovation” initiative. The events are this Thursday, Jan 28 from 5:30-7:30, all day Friday, Jan 29 from 8:30 am – 8:30 pm & Saturday, Jan 30, from 8:30 – 4 pm. The cost to attend all events is $380. If your serious about wanting to come, please talk with Roleen about the price.
I hope to see you there!
Susan Smiley
(Marzhan’s mom, EW)