Infant Community
​Our Reggio Emilia Approach curriculum in an infant classroom focuses on creating a rich, nurturing, and safe environment where infants are seen as curious, capable learners from birth and can work on developing their cognitive, emotional, and physical skills. The approach emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong sense of independence, communication, and exploration through hands-on, sensory-rich experiences.
In a Reggio Emilia Approach-inspired infant classroom, the environment is carefully designed to be an "educator" itself. It is filled with open-ended materials that encourage exploration, such as soft textures, natural objects, mirrors, and safe, stimulating toys. The classroom is structured to invite curiosity and self-directed learning, allowing infants to explore and interact with the world at their own pace and develop a strong sense of self-esteem.
Teachers act as observers and guides, attuned to the individual needs and interests of each child. Rather than directing activities, they support infants' natural curiosity and follow their lead. In the Reggio Emilia Approach, relationships are at the heart of learning. Infants are encouraged to form strong connections with their caregivers and peers, promoting social and emotional development. Teachers engage in open, respectful communication, talking to infants in a way that encourages language development and emotional expression, even if the child is not yet speaking.
Collaboration is another key element. In the infant classroom, this can look like infants engaging in joint activities like group play, where they learn to share space and interact with others. Although infants may not yet communicate with words, they begin to understand social cues and form early friendships through shared experiences. Ultimately, the Reggio Emilia approach in an infant classroom emphasizes that learning is a social, emotional, and sensory experience. Infants are not just passive recipients of information; they are active participants in their learning, discovering the world around them through their senses and interactions with the people and materials in their environment.
Each day we spend time indoors and outdoors (weather permitting). Our students enjoy spending time on our playground, going on stroller rides, and exploring nature. Infants are all very unique and have their own patterns for play, feeding, and sleeping. We use an infant’s unique patterns as our guide to introduce daily activities that help prepare the infant for life.