December 27, 2024 Daniel Shepherd

Let’s decipher the Reggio Emilia approach to learning with Odyssey Nursery

With the holiday season fast approaching, many parents put off planning their children’s nursery enrolment. Why not get a head start by reaching out to Odyssey, Dubai’s premier Reggio-inspired nursery, with 12 locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

Their nature inspired philosophy, which originated in Italy by Loris Malaguzzi, views children as “good citizens, with real life practical skills, who can adapt to any job and situation,” which is a crucial character trait to have in today’s world.

Let’s explore together the top 5 elements that distinguish Reggio Emilia learning at Odyssey, including the unique materials they use for art and creation, how nature plays a key role as teacher, the “100 languages” concept, documentation and trilingual learning:

1- What are “open-ended materials” used in the Reggio Emilia approach?

Odyssey’s “Atelier” has on display a myriad of materials like blocks, fabric, and recyclables, for children to engage in problem-solving and critical thinking. The freedom to experiment with these materials also fosters collaboration and communication among peers. In the Reggio Emilia approach, open-ended materials such as loose parts, natural items, and art supplies offer numerous benefits for young learners. These versatile resources encourage creativity and imagination, allowing children to explore and manipulate them in multiple ways.

2- What are the benefits of connecting children to nature?

Nature is far more than just an “outdoor space,” it’s a powerful teacher in Reggio Emilia learning! This is why there’s an ample amount of it at Odyssey allowing children to explore planting, messy mud play, picnics, and animal care at the chicken coop.

When children engage with the natural world, they not only gain insights into biology and natural cycles but they take responsibility for their environment.

3- What are the 100 languages in Reggio Emilia learning?

The “100 Languages” concept in the Reggio Emilia approach highlights the diverse ways children can express themselves beyond just spoken language. It includes drawing, music, dance, and dramatic play and ultimately celebrates the multiple ways children make sense of their world. Below are some of the different modes of communication that Odyssey likes to explore:

The Language of Art: “For many of us a finished product made of clay or collage materials, is called art. But for Reggio Odyssey nursery, art refers to spontaneous, open ended, and often messy explorations with little to no direction from the teacher. We use the word art to describe a lively process of engagement that is reflective, creative and deliberate and that deepens and extends the children’s learning.” Hoda – The Reggio Emilia Director at Odyssey

The Language of Clay modelling:

Creativity is nurtured through long-term projects that are based on the children’s interests, and at Odyssey they use aromatic, cold, messy clay for this! These projects encourage deep thinking, collaboration, and exploration.

The language of light:

Children in Odyssey’s Atelier investigate how light behaves, how shadows are formed, or how light interacts with different materials. In this way, they learn to make predictions, test ideas, and find solutions to challenges, all of which develop their problem solving and reasoning skills.

The “language of light” in Reggio Emilia is a rich, multifaceted concept that connects science, art, and communication, allowing children to engage deeply with the world around them in ways that are both playful and profound. Light is often explored through carefully selected materials like prisms, mirrors, magnifying glasses, or coloured filters, which invite children to manipulate and experiment with light in diverse ways.

Light can be used to tell stories or convey deeper meanings. For instance, children might create shadow puppets or explore light and dark contrasts in their artistic work to symbolize themes like good and evil, day and night, or the cycles of nature.

4-What does the concept of “documentation” mean and what are its benefits?
Throughout Reggio Emilia spaces, children’s learning is displayed through photos, videos, and written observations, which is something you don’t see in many other approaches. This aids in reflective practice, guiding educators in assessing and planning based on real-time insights. Families get to celebrate their child’s achievements, making it a collaborative and informed educational journey.

5-What are the benefits of trilingual learning at Odyssey Nursery?

Trilingual learning in the Reggio Emilia approach boosts cognitive flexibility, helping children think adaptively and solve problems more effectively. It also enriches cultural awareness and empathy by exposing them to diverse perspectives. Children are exposed to English, French and Arabic through native speakers from each culture which aligns with Reggio Emilia’s emphasis on diverse forms of expression and understanding.

“Art – is not about drawing or painting – it’s about creating!”