Synopses & Reviews
This new book provides a detailed look at the approach to early childhood education presented in Reggio Emilia. Designed for early childhood educators working in the field and students enrolled in early childhood programs, this book will serve as a guide for those who are interested in trying to adapt the Reggio approach into their work with young children. Authentic Childhood follows the Reggio Emilia approach in planning the environment, implementing the program, and developing curriculum activities in collaboration with children.
-- Specific examples of the integration of art, music, science and literature illustrate the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education.
-- Detailed accounts of the process of working with teachers, families and communities to adapt the Reggio approach in a North American setting.
-- Suggestions for providing children with rich resources for science, math, literature, music and art experiences.
Synopsis
"Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom" introduces readers to the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Developed at the preschools and infant-toddlers center in Reggio Emilia, Italy, this program has received international attention. It offers examples of how Reggio principles have enhanced classroom practices of a variety of child educators and how those involved with Reggio principles have enhanced their own classroom practices. A practical and inspiring work, this book introduces the principles that guide excellent preschools.
About the Author
Carol Gestwicki had been an instructor in the Early Childhood Education program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, for more than 20 years. Her teaching responsibilities have included supervising students in classroom situations as they work with parents. Earlier in her career, she worked with children and families in a wide variety of community agencies and schools in Toronto, New York, New Jersey, and Namibia. She received her MA from Drew University. She has been an active member of NAEYC for many years, making numerous presentations at state and national conferences. Other publications include more than two dozen articles on child development and family issues, and script-writing and design of 14 audiovisual instructional programs.
Table of Contents
Foreword. Acknowledgements. Chapter1: Experiencing Ideas from Reggio Emilia. Chapter2: The Image of the Child. Chapter3: The Role of the Teacher. Chapter4: Relationships. Relationships with Families. Chapter5: The Environment as the Third Teacher. Chapter6: Documentation. Chapter7: Negotiating the Curriculum. Chapter8: The Investigating Classroom. Chapter9: Aesthetics in the Program. Chapter10: the Hundred Languages of Children. Appendix. Teachers, Questionnaires.