At Bumi Kecil, we are deeply inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
A unique approach to early childhood education, Reggio Emilia emphasizes the importance of fostering a child-centered learning environment. Originating in the town of Reggio Emilia in Italy, this philosophy is grounded in the belief that children are competent, curious, and capable of constructing their own knowledge through exploration and discovery. Our role as teachers is to provide a supportive and enriching environment where children can express themselves, engage with their surroundings, and pursue their natural interests.
One of the core principles of the Reggio Emilia approach is the concept of the “hundred languages of children."
Reggio Emilia recognizes the many ways in which children express themselves and make sense of the world around them. At Bumi Kecil, we celebrate and nurture these diverse forms of expression, whether through art, music, dance, storytelling, or play. Our classrooms are designed to be flexible and dynamic, allowing children to interact with a variety of materials and resources that inspire creativity and critical thinking. By encouraging children to explore their interests and ideas, we empower them to become active participants in their own learning journey.
On any given day, you might see our students dancing, singing, painting, cooking, drawing, writing, helping, sharing, and imagining.
Through these languages and many more, they are able to communicate their ideas, needs, desires, hopes, dreams, and wonderings. Our teachers “listen” to these languages by observing their students, documenting their learning process, and guiding them to express themselves further and find even more ways to communicate. Through this cycle of offering students freedom of expression, observation, and guidance, teachers can help students discover their true potential.
Here are 3 examples of Reggio-inspired activities that Bumi Kecil students enjoy:
1. The students take a nature walk around the school, collecting natural materials to bring back to the classroom. Then, they may use these materials to create art, make nature journals, or set up a nature table for ongoing investigation. This encourages observation, categorization, and appreciation for the environment. The natural materials may then be incorporated into an art project to take home, repurposed into an animal habitat, or simply returned to where they found them after the interest in them fades.
2. The students experiment with various light sources and objects to create shadows. They may experiment with shadow puppets, toy figures, or paper scraps by drawing their shadow shapes or observing how light and shadows change throughout the day. This helps to develop understanding of light properties, cause and effect, and allows for creative expression.
3. The students bring in recycled materials from home, such as bottles, cardboard, fabric, and work together to create sculptures or functional items. During this activity, we may discuss the importance of recycling or create an exhibit of their artwork which promotes environmental awareness, creativity, and problem-solving.
Collaboration and community are also fundamental to the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
We believe that education is a shared experience that involves not just the children, but also their families, teachers, and the broader community. At Bumi Kecil, we foster a collaborative learning environment where children learn from and with each other, and where families are invited to participate in the educational process. Through regular communication, we build strong partnerships that support the holistic development of each child. By embracing the principles of Reggio Emilia, we aim to create a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can thrive and develop a lifelong love of learning.