Emergent Curriculum: Emergent curriculum is a style of teaching and learning that is dependent on the teacher introducing questions and listening to the children’s ideas and discussions. The Role of the Teacher: In a Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, teachers are viewed as more than just a partner in education.

A Reggio inspired classroom is a nontraditional learning environment where there are no assigned seats. Children have easy access to supplies and learning material, and are consistently inspired and encouraged to direct their own learning.

The Reggio Emilia approach is an educational philosophy and pedagogy focused on preschool and primary education. This approach is a student-centered and constructivist self-guided curriculum that uses self-directed, experiential learning in relationship-driven environments.

For example, in a classroom using an emergent curriculum, the students may find a nest on a nature walk, and that event may lead to creating nests from scrap paper back in the classroom, pretending to be baby birds with play silks, exploring books about birds, and starting a bird watching observation log.

To plan an emergent curriculum requires observation, documentation, creative brainstorming, flexibility and patience. Rather than starting with a lesson plan which requires a “hook” to get the children interested, emergent curriculum starts with the observation of the children for insight into their interests.

Curriculum Approach: It is a way of dealing with curriculum, a way of doing, creating,designing and thinking about the curriculum.

The goal of emergent curriculum is to respond to every child’s inter- ests. Its practice is open-ended and self-directed. It depends on teacher initiative and intrinsic motivation, and it lends itself to a play-based environ- ment.

Intentional teaching within an emergent curriculum Intentional teaching happens when teachers have a learning focus in mind, use strategies to support children’s learning, and monitor and adjust their interactions with children based on observation of the learning that is taking place.

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Emergent curriculum is child-led and directed, being based on their interests. The Montessori method was created for children who worked during the day and so focused on housekeeping as an enjoyable, valued activity, as well as emphasis on math and language arts, which is taught well.

Right now, you may have narrowed it down to two options: the Reggio Emilia vs. Montessori approach. The Reggio Emilia and Montessori early-childhood educational methods are very similar in their nurturing, child-centric, and alternative approaches. However, they follow different methodologies in a few key areas.

In a study of best practices in PreSchool education worldwide sponsored by Newsweek, the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, were found to be THE best in the world.

Main differences between Montessori and Waldorf schools. Academics: Montessori schools focus more on core academics, at least in preschool. Waldorf schools normally don’t introduce core academics, at least formally, until grade 1 or 2. Work and play: Montessori schools favour work over play.

Waldorf dolls have minimal or no faces in order to encourage the imagination of the young child—to cultivate her “inner picturing” abilities. Children want to imitate real life.

Some parents complain that Montessori teachers are too rigid, not the warm-and-fuzzy teachers you might find in traditional preschools and elementary schools. Teachers tend to be hands-off, interacting less and standing at a distance while children “work” (participate in guided play). Parents don’t feel welcome.