The Early Years program combines the Reggio Emilia approach with the Creative Curriculum in a distinctive way. The Reggio Emilia approach centers on child-led learning, promoting exploration, creativity, and communication through project-based activities, whilst the Creative Curriculum offers a structured framework that addresses 10 areas of development and 38 learning objectives. This integration ensures a balanced educational experience that nurtures both independent exploration and structured guidance.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐨 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡
The Reggio Emilia approach identifies three key educators in a child’s learning environment: the teacher, the student, and the environment itself. Here, the environment is regarded as a third teacher, integral to the educational experience.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝
This approach views children as active researchers capable of questioning and exploring. They are seen as powerful, competent, creative, and curious, with immense potential and ambition. Children express their thoughts and emotions through what is known as the "100 languages," a diverse range of ways to communicate.

𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
Educators following the Reggio Emilia approach offer a variety of educational experiences that promote self-expression, communication, logical thinking, and problem-solving. Topics are explored in depth, allowing children to engage fully and develop their skills and understanding.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦

The 32 Creative Curriculum Units of Study provide the foundation for teaching and learning in a RISR Early Years classroom, covering 10 Areas of Development and 38 specific Objectives.

Our Reggio-inspired approach builds on these units to explore projects in depth, enhancing and extending the learning experience. This method strikes a balance between meeting age-appropriate developmental goals and recognizing that learning is fluid and cannot be neatly categorized into fixed "studies."

Instead of following a rigid curriculum, we use these units as provocations to inspire learning. We design projects that evolve from these provocations, allowing for deeper exploration and making high-level connections in a flexible and responsive manner.

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