The Role of a Teacher in the Reggio Emilia Approach

The all-inclusive Reggio Emilia approach takes up the standardized curriculum from a linear fragmented approach to a unified, participatory, inquiry and arts-based way.

The teachers in the Reggio Emilia approach are partners in learning with the children and parents. Teachers work with one another and at the same time collaborate with parents to give shape to the emergent curriculum which is the foundation of this approach.

The Reggio Emilia approach involves a developmentally efficient practice and inquiry-based constructivist teaching.

Teachers aim to respond to the student’s interests and concerns; thus, expanding the ‘Emergent Curriculum’ on the basis of a genuine analysis of the child’s unique ideas and curiosities. Reggio Emilia teachers propel learning in pupils while keeping the spirit of community alive.

As A Listener:

The basic tenet of this approach is communicating with children, which means listening to their ideas attentively and participating with them in conversation. It is an attempt to get involved with the child, acting as a resource and sometimes as an instigator.

As A Researcher:

Observation of the child’s behavior and experiences is a tool to develop documentation. This documentation becomes the basis for teacher research, reflection and collaboration and helps in planning the direction that the emergent curriculum takes.

As The Creator of a Stimulating Environment:

Reggio educators know how to arrange the environment around the children in such a way that facilitates interaction and learning. The teacher focuses on creating a stimulating environment that acts as a third teacher.

As A Co-Constructor of Knowledge:

In the Reggio Emilia approach, the curriculum and activities are planned on the basis of children’s interests and ideas. It is based on a Reggio Emilia concept called ‘Progettazione’ which helps to predict directions for possible learning experiences. Thus, the curriculum is planned in collaboration with the students.

As Partners With Parents:

There is a need of congruency between the children’s experiences at home and at school. In exploring ideas from the Reggio Emilia approach, teachers work as an equal ‘partner’ with parents in promoting the holistic development of the child. They provide parents with a thorough and regular report of their child’s experiences at school.

As A Supporter:

In conventional teaching methodologies, teachers spend a lot of time guiding and supervising the child’s behavior. But Reggio Emilia teachers see children as competent individuals, who are capable of learning from their environment with minimal guidance from teachers.

Teachers change their role from an instructor to a partner; allowing children to be free to pursue activities in the classrooms that they find rewarding. At the same time, the teachers collaborate with the students in their endeavors and continue to guide them, as and when necessary.

Even when applied in traditional schools, teachers find this approach amplifying and enriching. The entire Reggio Emilia approach is like a game where a child is trying to play, being assisted and supported by a teacher. And together they find a way of keeping the game going and learning several things along the way.