Over the past month or two, depending on the cycle of how children move up or begin school, you have probably been working to create community. For some it means creating a collaborative mural, for others it is singing songs together. In some places you are gradually modeling classroom routines, scaffolding both children’s desire for independence and connection to others. The bottom line is that you are building layers and layers of relationships. This is at the core of Complementary Curriculum’s Responsive Scaffolding intention.
The schools in Reggio Emilia Italy capture this idea of layered relationships in the phrase Io chi siao or, “I am who we are”. This refers to the possibility of reaching beyond the individual thorough mutual exchange with others. This can be characterized as a place where collaboration, caring, and conflict can go hand in hand. We observe, document, listen, engage, puzzle over things, and express emotions. This sense of community becomes the envelope around the important interactions that occur within each classroom and school. The belief that children from their very beginning are active contributors to the life of a community is at the heart of Complementary Curriculum.
Keep building the layers of relationships with our Complementary Curriculum course. It is a place to gather inspiration, as you think about this image of the child and your role in children’s growth and development. Happy new school year!
Discover practical strategies to foster joyful engagement, access high-quality learning on your schedule, and elevate your teaching practice.