Featured speakers will include Italy’s International Network Coordinator of Reggio Emilia, Amelia Gambetti, and Lella Gandini, Reggio United States liaison.
Those attending will learn more about the Reggio Emilia approach to education, which is offered at various institutions worldwide.
One school where it is offered is the Bergen Family Center’s Englewood Pre-K program, which operates in partnership with the Englewood Public School district.
According to Barbara Berger, principal of the Pre-K program at Bergen Family Center, the Reggio Emilia approach is in its sixth year at Englewood and she said it "lends itself for children to be more creative and have control of their own learning."
The philosophy behind Reggio Emilia, explained Berger, is that children can construct their own learning experiences through small group interaction and collaboration with teachers who act as facilitators. Children are encouraged to explore their environment through music, painting, dance, drama and various materials such as clay or wire to stimulate their creativity.
Berger thinks the approach benefits the children by allowing them to be creative and showing respect for their thoughts.
"They can express their thoughts using many materials as opposed to just pencil and paper. And they work with beautiful materials to express their thoughts in what we call the 100 languages of children," she said.
The curriculum adheres to the state’s standards for education while the delivery of instruction, Berger says, implements a deep understanding of content through research projects with teachers. Berger calls the program "an inquiry approach, problem solving approach to learning."
Mibs Wagner, director of development at Bergen Family Center said the program is "privileged" to have the speakers present in Englewood.
"It is unusual for people to be able to visit the site and see the site in action. After the reception Friday night, guests will be able to travel through the different Pre-K classrooms at the center and see the results of the approach."
