Course Description

Montessori and Reggio Emilia are two influential educational approaches that have been used in education for over a century. They have been developed by two remarkable educators, Dr. Maria Montessori and Loris Malaguzzi. Both approaches share some common principles and focus on the development of the whole child, but they also have some significant differences.

Montessori approach emphasizes on children’s self-directed learning, and it allows children to learn through discovery and exploration. The Montessori classroom is a prepared environment that is designed to foster children’s independence, self-motivation and self-discipline. The Montessori teacher acts as a guide, observing and assessing the child’s needs and interests, and adjusting the curriculum accordingly.

Reggio Emilia approach is based on the idea that children are capable and curious learners. The approach emphasizes on collaboration, communication and the use of the environment as a tool for learning. The teachers work closely with the children and help them to explore the world around them. The Reggio Emilia classroom is a beautiful and stimulating environment, where children can express themselves through various forms of art and design.

Both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches have been widely adopted and implemented in many countries, and they have been successful in creating a stimulating and engaging learning environment for children. This training course will serve as a launchpad for further investigation into the primary tenets, characteristics, and advantages of the most effective educational strategies. Participants who enroll in this training course will have the opportunity to investigate the emerging tendencies in education and will gain knowledge in a way that is both hands-on and experiential regarding the kinds of activities and strategies that are best suited to meet their needs. In this lesson, participants will not only learn how to create their own activities based on the needs and realities of their students, but they will also learn about and practice activities that take place outside, such as learning games and concrete ideas that foster the creativity and learning of students.

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of the course will have the knowledge and skills to do the following:

• Understand the key principles and concepts of both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches, including the history and development of each approach, as well as the underlying educational philosophy and pedagogy
• Observe and document children’s learning in Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms
• Develop and adapt materials and curriculum based on Montessori and Reggio Emilia approach
• Reflect on their own teaching practice and how they can incorporate elements of both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches in their classrooms
• Evaluate and assess children’s learning in Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms.
• Integrate Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches in their teaching
• Develop a final project that demonstrates their understanding and application of Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches
• Understand the underlying pedagogy of Montessori and Reggio Emilia and how it supports children’s learning and development
• Understand the role of the teacher in Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms
• Analyze and reflect on the successes and challenges of different case studies of Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms and schools around the world
• Understand how technology can be used to enhance learning in Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms
• Develop an action plan for implementing Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches in their own classrooms
• Overcome barriers and challenges to implementation.

Course Details

 
TARGET GROUP

Professionals in the education sector (e.g., teachers, guidance counselors, principals, and administrators at elementary, middle, higher education, vocational institutions, kindergartens and pre-primary schools) and non-governmental organization (NGO) staff.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology of a training course on Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches would involve a combination of theoretical foundation, hands-on learning, reflective practice, curriculum and material development, and evaluation. Participants will be introduced to the basic principles and key concepts of both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches, including the history and development of each approach, as well as the underlying educational philosophy and pedagogy. They will have the opportunity to experience both approaches in action through observation and participation in actual Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms. This will give them a chance to see how the approach is implemented in real life and to reflect on how the approach can be adapted to their own context. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their own teaching practice and to consider how they can incorporate elements of both Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches in their classrooms. They will also have the opportunity to share their reflections and experiences with their peers in group discussions and workshops. They will learn how to develop and adapt materials and curriculum based on Montessori and Reggio Emilia approach and have the opportunity to work on real-life projects and to receive feedback. The evaluation will focus on the understanding and application of the concepts, as well as the ability to integrate the approach in their own context. The training will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, group discussions, and practical activities, which will be both interactive and participatory. This will enable the participants to learn and apply the concepts effectively.

Course Objectives

• Introduction to Educational Approaches: Introduce the fundamental principles and philosophies of the Montessori and Reggio Emilia educational approaches.
• History and Origins: Study the history and origins of both approaches, understanding how Montessori and Reggio Emilia emerged.
• Learning Environment: Learn how to arrange the learning environment in the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches.
• Student-Centered Learning: Examine how student-centered learning is encouraged in both approaches.
• Materials and Resources: Introduce the specialized learning materials and resources used in Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches.
• Creativity and Exploration: Examine how both approaches can support the abilities of children in creativity and exploration.
• Autonomy and Responsibility: Understand how autonomy and responsibility are developed in the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches.
• Social and Emotional Development: Learn how both approaches support social and emotional development.
• Family and Community Involvement: Examine how families and the community are involved in the education process, especially focusing on how this is emphasized in the Reggio Emilia approach.
• Assessment Methods: Understand assessment methods and techniques suitable for the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches.
• Applications and Examples: Examine real-world applications and successful examples of both approaches.
• Comparison between Montessori and Reggio Emilia: Evaluate the similarities and differences between the two approaches and understand the advantages and challenges of each.

Tentative Schedule

Day 1 – ARRIVAL DAY

• Welcoming activities
• Networking activities
• Overview of the history and development of both approaches
• Key principles and concepts of Montessori and Reggio Emilia
• Comparison and contrast of the two approaches

Day 2 – OBSERVING AND UNDERSTANDING THE MONTESSORI AND REGGIO EMILIA CLASSROOM

• Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms in action
• How to observe and document children’s learning
• Reflect on how the approach is implemented in real life and how the approach can be adapted to their own context
• The Montessori’s perspective on the child and the child in society
• Freedom and independence of the child in the Montessori method

Day 3 – CURRICULUM AND MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT

• Reflections on current teaching practices and styles
• Opportunity to work on real-life projects and to receive feedback
• A constructivist model
• Learning concepts from working with materials
• How to safely design, plan and deliver education activities

Day 4 – REFLECTIVE PRACTICE AND INTEGRATION

•  Learning and performing speaking and role-play games
•  Non-Formal activities to strengthen teamwork, effective cooperation and respect
•  Teaching practice
•  Practicing, designing and delivering non-formal activities and games

Day 5 – PEDAGOGY OF MONTESSORI AND REGGIO EMILIA

• Learning through experiences of touching, moving, listening, and observing
• Providing pupils endless ways and opportunities to express themselves
• Development goals and results of the Montessori-Reggio Method

Day 6 – MONTESSORI AND REGGIO EMILIA IN ACTION: CASE STUDIES

• Case studies of Montessori and Reggio Emilia classrooms and schools around the world
• Analyze and reflect on the successes and challenges of these case studies
• Action plan for implementing Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches in their own classrooms
• Strategies for overcoming barriers and challenges to implementation

 Day 7 – DEPARTURE DAY

• Course evaluation, feedback, discussion and wrap-up
• Certificate ceremony
• Cultural activities

*The schedule describes likely activities but may differ significantly based on the requests of the participants, and the trainer delivering the specific session. Course modifications are subject to the trainer’s discretion. If you would like to discuss a specific topic, please indicate it at least 4 weeks in advance.

Our courses usually include two cultural activities. Further information is available on the webpage of each course.