What is Reggio Emilia?

While I was hopping on one of my favorite YouTube channels, I came across a teacher giving a Ted Talk on Reggio Emilia. I had never heard of the term before and thought, "What was this style of teaching that helps children as young as preschool become active citizens?"

The Reggio Emilia approch to learning is focused on preschool and primary age students.  The pedagogy is described as student directed, experiential learning in relationship driven environments. Students learn through exploration and discover rather than having content drilled into them. It was stated that the approach was based on children at the early age are endowed with a hundred languages and have their own personalities and ways to express their ideas. I also found it quite interesting that allowing students to play in a hole dug in the ground would cover so many of the learning standards as presented in her graphics towards the end of the video.  This teacher is passionate about teaching young ones to be active citizens. I think sometimes we forget that the best way to learn is through experimentation.

I also found this video that easily explains the whole process of the Reggio Emilia philosophy that I though you may find interesting to check out. I believe every child learns differently and they need to be given the chance to explore and find their own voice. 

Tea for Teaching - Metaliteracy

Metaliteracy is teaching framework that promotes critical thinking snd collaboration in a digital world. I am planning to write a blog post that more clearly defines the concept, but for now I wanted to share a podcast that one of my professors did.

Professor Mackey has developed and written books on Metaliteracy and was a guest on the podcast Tea for Teaching lot too long ago. This concept is very interesting to me and while I research it more please enjoy this summary on the podcast at the link below.

Tea for Teaching - Metaliteracy

Tech in school, what's the parent's role?

So much technology is thrown at your kids in school. They have electronic devices issued by the school, their phone, tablet, laptop. Homework on the computer...games, research and more. It is all so overwhelming and you have no idea what to do. You did not grow up with all of this technology, you always lugged around textbooks and researched in the library. If you were lucky, your family invested in a set of encyclopedias so you would always have access to information to write your paper.

Gone are the days of flipping through pages of a textbook. Many schools have integrated technology into the classroom and students do research and homework directy online. How are you supposed to understand what they are doing when you weren't exposed to that type of technology?

As a parent, you are responsible for teaching your child to be safe online and to find a happy medium for screen time. Kristen Galloway of the Morning Consult website shared four tips for parents to focus on when teaching their children to gain control with technology in their life.

1. Serve as a role model. Be mindful of your time spent on your mobile devices and computers. If you unplug, it will set the example for your child to.

2. Everything is best in moderation. Technology use needs limits too, just like any other rule you set for your child. Talk with your child about the rules for technology use that will fit your family values.

3. Provide alternatives. Remind your child that it is still important to not be tied to a screen all the time. Read, spend time with family or just reading a good book.

4. Edcation. You may not be familiar with the latest apps being used by your child. Take the time to ask and have them show you. The surprise will be that your child will think it is great they are teaching you something!

The article closes talking about how in the past, the big concern was watching too much TV.  Now it is too much technology.

Read the full article here.

Source:
“Parents Can Play Important Role in Teaching Children About Technology.” Morning Consult, 6 Mar. 2018, morningconsult.com/opinions/parents-play-important-role-teaching-children-technology/.