On May 7, early childhood educators from throughout the region were able to attend a unique Reggio Emilia professional development experience hosted at Goodwin College. The Reggio Emilia approach to education places children and families at the center of all learning and focuses on exploration and discovery.

The conference participants were welcomed at the
Riverside Magnet School at Goodwin College (formerly the Goodwin College Early Childhood Magnet School) where they were given a tour and the opportunities to join in a series of workshops.

“Themes of Co-Teaching: Strategies That Work” was led by Arielle Powers and Patricia Debonis, pre-K co-teachers from Alphabet Academy in Hamden, CT. Participants explored how to build an effective, collaborative team in which teachers’ voices are celebrated.

“Beyond Bulletin Boards: The Power of Interactive Documentation” was given by Karen First and Elinor Albin, early childhood teachers from the Advent School in Boston. Participants explored the differences between documentation and display through the use of photography, children’s conversations, and video.

“Exploring a Community Context through Project Work: Honoring the Inspirations from Reggio Emilia,” led by Leigh Ann Yuen and Dawn Warner from Garden Gate Child Development Center in Vineyard Haven, MA, focused on how educators can explore their own contexts to see the many ways their programs have been influenced by the Reggio approach.

UntitledThe last workshop, “Staying Curious,” was given by Kendra PeloJoaquin from Peabody Terrace Children’s Center in Cambridge, MA. In this workshop, participants learned to build their own capacities for compassion, practice tools for collaboration, and build relationships with one another.

Goodwin College offers an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and a bachelor’s degree in Child Study. For more information, click here.

Check out photos of the conference and classrooms here.