We have been very creative here at Beth Shalom Preschool this year. We are enjoying experimenting and creating in our new Valinsky Art Studio. We are following the educational theory of Reggio Emilia. As a refresher, here is a definition of this educational practice.
The Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy focused on preschool and primary education. It was started by Loris Malaguzzi, who was a teacher himself, and the parents of the villages around Reggio Emilia in Italy after World War II. The destruction from the war, parents believed, necessitated a new, quick approach to teaching their children. They felt that it is in the early years of development that children form who they are as individuals. This led to creation of a program based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum.
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Morah Julie has been introducing us to new media and textures. We have been exploring and creating with charcoal, pastels, and clay. We are painting beads and going on nature walks to collect natural items. We have been doing special Rosh Hashanah art this week. We are exploring the color red and making sweet, creative Rosh Hashanah items. The Pre-K also painted beads and then made their own yads.
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We wanted to share with you the variety of art we are doing. Click through our gallery below to see our budding artists and our wonderful masterpieces! Our teachers are engaged listeners and encouragers through this new process of visual learning.
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Beth Shalom Early Learning Center 