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Oh my word! I am so excited! I took a tour of a local Reggio inspired preschool, Rosa Parks. I was blown away with the beauty in this school.
I am so grateful for the generosity and kindness of the teachers to allow photos and permission to post them on this blog. Thank you Rosa Parks!
I documented so many wonderful things to share with you. I am going to share them by groups over the next 7 days:
- the alphabet
- color
- birthdays
- hanging art
- tables
- numbers
- families
You are in for a real treat.
Little drawers of letters in the writing area.
Cut pieces of wood with letters. The teacher told me she put sticker letters on the wood and painted the wood. After the wood dried, she removed the sticker.
The letters of the alphabet created using found objects and materials on a painted surface.
You could use canvas boards, foam core or heavy paper.
A close of view.
Each child has the first letter of their name in a wood cut. On their birthday – they get to decorate their initial. So cool!
A writing tray with colored sand and a paint brush.
A brilliant sign-in sheet! The first letter of the child's name. Love this for preschoolers!
Another teacher created an alphabet frieze with twig letters the class made. Beautiful!
A framed piece of metal sheeting for letter magnets and popsicle sticks with magnets for children to create letters!
See you tomorrow with Reggio Inspired: Color
Hugs!
So many good ideas here. Love the wood “birthday” letters!
Just wait! There were so many amazing ideas – I was truly on overload!!
Yes, so many great ideas here. I also love the wood ‘birthday’ letters and definitely going to do it in my classroom. Awesome!
Wow! So excited to get an inside view on RE. My kids were in this environment so I’m familiar with it but now that I’m creating my own space(dual language preschool) it’s nice to get inside tips.
Hello!
Would you share your sign-in sheet template? n.diaz.metz@gmail.com
Thank you!
I would love your alphabet sign in sheet. Would you mind emailing me a copy? Thanks!
You can do it with cardboard cutouts too…just as lovely!!
The gracious professionalism this staff offers up each and every day to our community of educators and families is absoultely unmatched… Thank you for your model of support and practice…
It was pure inspiration to talk to the teachers of these classrooms. Every child deserves a community like Rosa Parks offers. It is a jewel in our community!
All capital letters. Why do we focus on capital letters when lowercase letters are used 95% of the time in both reading and writing?
If we teach capital letters first then the child writes in all capital letters. The kindergarten and first grade teachers then have to re-teach and break children of the habits of writing in all caps. Capital letters have 2 rules: To start a sentence and for an important name. See Zoo-phonics…….please.
I understand what you are addressing – totally. But these classrooms are three-year old classes and it would not be developmentally appropriate to teach ANY handwriting. It the visual recognition and the context is play.
My perspective was completely altered when I went into European kindergartens (Switzerland) and NO formal instruction was given on any level regarding the alphabet. It was all exploration. I asked to see a first grade classroom and how they were doing given the absence of this instruction.
What I saw was astonishing. Their handwriting and sentence structure far exceeded what we see in America. I realized – there is a time for each level of instruction.
I see the Reggio classrooms as exploration like the Swiss classrooms.
What I think you are referring to is the sad state of affairs in USA preschools where handwriting is started way too soon. I feel this should be delayed until a child is 7 years old.
I completely agree with you regarding how early we are starting handwriting with children. Most places I observe have journal writing for 3 year olds using lined paper. Developmentally they are unable to do so. It is a struggle for the child and the teacher. The uppercase letters are used in my classroom due to the ease of making the letter. Most are lines and we are able to bring different materials into play instead of physically writing the letter. This helps the children get use to direction, development, and the visual look of a letter using “hands-on” which in turn helps them when they decide to use a writing utensil.
I completely agree, Sally! There is a lovely window for each opportunity, and it is in everyone’s best interest to find the window and not push through a wall. Over my many years of practice in childhood education, as a teacher and educational diagnostician, with exposure to and experience with Reggio, Montessori, Waldorf, Constructivist, US public and private schools, and the home school community, in different regions, I have found this to be true. Yet sometimes, it’s still difficult to convince people. Thanks for your great resources!
I think it is really hard for the young child to transition back and forth between capital and lower case. I’d rather the children master capital and then they can scaffold in Kinder. the lower case. I do however give a exposure to both capital and lower case letters, so it is not foreign to them when they see it. Also, to trade time on an age appropriate skill work in order to have room for lower case letters, so to push children to a higher level….that would not be good teaching.
Hi Sally! I see you wrote this more than 7 years ago. I totally agree with you and unfortunately, it seems that schools go in the wrong direction. They continue to emphasize the academical program instead of giving more opportunities for children to discover through play. I see what you mean in schools here, in Portugal too. When children arrive to Form 1 (6 years old) if they came from a school where they didn´t have that formal education with the writing, they do much better!!
I agree! Many of these activities could be done using lower case letters.
Me, too. I’m not suggesting any formal handwriting instruction. It is important to have letters in the environment, though, and those can be lowercase. We simply want kids to learn “a-ness” or “b-ness” etc, as they are ready. I had a friend from England who said all her kids learned lowercase first… don’t know if this is standard practice in England, or was just her experience.
No matter the letters, what a gorgeous space and hands-on materials. Thanks for sharing!
We use lower case as identification and environmental exploration of letter shapes but always a capital for their names to label their creations or coat pegs or belongings . We love to use sandpaper cut outs so the children can do crayon rubbings over these – scribbling then still allows them the success of producing a letter shape without any formal teaching .
It’s too confusing for five-year olds to learn capitals and lower-case letters at the same time, and capitals are easier to identify, differentiate, and draw. Teaching lower-case letters isn’t breaking a habit — it is expanding their knowledge. “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom,” by Bill Martin, is an easy way to get the concept across, when they are ready.
Another methodology, in Italy where I teach, common usage is to only teach children the capital letters through December of first grade. Then in the second semester they are taught lower case as well as cursive.
Honestly, I am still trying to understand the logic behind this choice.
Well it is because whenever you start a sentence or even your name that starts with a capital letter 🙂
100% true! Because capital letters are written mostly with horizontal vertical and oblique lines it is easy for children to write so parents become encouraged and teach them to write in capital letters early on.I tell parents once your child learn to write capital letters in their “sensitive period” it is almost impossible to break the habit.In my 30 years experience I have see it.Even when a child is 6 years old, when I write small a on the board they write capital A.
So now as soon as children enter my school at 2 years I make them feel small letters on a sand paper that way I am beating the parents in the game.
This was absolutely inspiring. I want to go there!! Looking forward to future posts about this amazing school! Sue at betwixthomandschool.blogspot.com
I could barely contain myself it was so full of goodness!
Rosa parks is reggio at its finest!
I so agree! Pure inspiration!
I LOVE the Reggio approach. I worked at a Reggio Emilia based child development center during my college years, and I found the approach to be inspiring and powerful. It just felt “right.” Does Rosa Parks have an “atelier”? Our center was in the process of creating an atelier of natural materials for students to work with when I graduated. I think this is such a beautiful approach.
I am looking forward to the post on color. We had jars of colored water all around the center that had slight variations of shade. I loved that the kids were not just exposed to primary and secondary colors, but everything in between. I was so inspired that my daughter and I created similar jars for her room! Thanks for sharing about what seems to be a beautiful school!
Karen
Teaching Ace Blog
I agree – this approach is so powerful. And yes, they have an atelier and great resources. I love that you created the colored water for your daughter’s room. So wonderful! Lucky daughter!!!
Absolutely brilliant! Thank you ever so much for sharing this! I studied the Reggio Approach at university but accepted I’d probably never get to see it done in practice.
I’ve noted down some of the ideas to use in my setting, looking forward to more from you.
Yay! There are so many little jewels to take from this method. Enjoy!
I just got back from a Reggio Emilia study week…I am so full of inspiration and so many questions. A friend pointed me toward your blog and I am loving it!!!!
My 3yo is in an early learning centre here in Melbourne Australia were they follow Reggio, so I am loving seeing these fabulous pics of what’s being done in other countries. I was quiet surprised when I asked when they start ‘teaching’ reading and I was told not until grade 2 (we have 3yo ELC, 4yo ELC, prep then grade 1 and so on) but its amazing how they can recognise letters. Keep up your wonderful work x
Wow very fun and easy ideas to implement. Love it!
Any idea where to get a cabinet of little drawers like that for the alphabet?
It is an organizer for bolts and nuts and such. I have purchased one at Home Depot and Walmart.
I was just wondering what the “thing” is that is made of a shutter on the wall under the name letters. Are those little clothespins and then pieces of fabric, or cardboard maybe? Looks neat, but wondered if it had more purpose than that. Thanks.
that is such an inspiring post, some great idea, I am going to borrow for my preschool class
You truly inspires me … Thank you for posting them.
Thank you for the inspiration! I am in a rural part of nebraska and have started the first Reggio Emilia inspired program in the area. The closest program to study with is six hours away and another is eight hours away. I love your site and it helps keep me connected to professionals and networking. Having another place to see is so helpful. Thank you so much
I love the sign in sheet with the block letters and names, do you have a template on the website to make one?
Sorry – I do not. 🙁
Thank you! Fantastic post!!
What are the letters in the boxes used for? Making words? Are they wooden letters in the boxes?
How is that used for children?
Making words and for free exploration. The letters in these boxes were cut out from magazines and from photocopied pages of letters so the children can glue them on paper, put the letters into any creation – be it art, writing, labeling. . .
What font was used for the Name sign in letters? I am looking for a good bubble letter or block letter font.
Thanks for sharing!
I am not sure – but you can find lots of free fonts at http://www.dafont.com
I love the number idea with string and tacks. Just above it is your documentation … did you document how the kids did it or how they worked on the concept of each number?
As always these are great ideas. I really appreciate your time and efforts that you put into helping others like me on our teaching journey.
Thanks again
Thank you!
I really am impressed! I am going to start the Birthday letters right away! I have so much to do and so little time to do it :-)!
I love your idea for preschool sign-in sheet where the child traces the first letter of their name. What is the name of the font you used for the capital letters for children to trace? Thank you so much!
Hi Susan, You can find all sorts of block letters at Dafont.com. It is a free resource for downloading fonts. Here is one that I like: http://www.dafont.com/indah-papuaku.font?sort=date
Locate the block fonts under the category “Fancy” and then “various.”
Thank you so, so much Sally! I’m going to start using your sign-in idea next week! I appreciate you! Sincerely, Susan
These are all great ideas. I will be working on introducing making the letters out of sticks we gather on our nature walks. I love that way of creating our letters to place in our class. Thank you.
I am an Early Childhood Educator and our centre is Reggio Amelia inspired. It is great to get more ideas. Thank you, this will be great to stare with the staff.
Really beautiful and creative ideas! I love the colored sand in a tray and the framed metal magnetic board! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Where is this school located? I work in a reggio inspired preschool but we are only about a year into the transition. I’m always looking for more ideas and schools to tour. Love the birthday initial and initials on wood. Literacy is so important
This school is in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The whole community of Fairy Dust Teaching (this means YOU!) is FULL of wonderful ideas!
Nice discussion ! I was fascinated by the points , Does anyone know if my assistant might be able to grab a template Shipper’s Letter of Instruction example to fill in ?
I am going to send you a document in your email. Look for it! I hope your assistant finds it helpful!
Exploring and examining the possibilities with children gives opportunities to understand. Thanks
Agreed. Isn’t that what we really want from our children? Coming to their own understanding?
So interesting and inspiring!
Renai, I am so glad you are inspired! Beauty and nature have that effect on me, too!
Beautiful and versatile ideas. Thank you for the different ways to incorporate the alphabet.
I agree! I love the simple beauty using natural materials, don’t you?
Do you have a copy of your sign-in sheet? 🙂
I hope you like it! Let us all know how you used it!
Is it possible to get a copy or email of the sign in sheet? This is so much fun!!
Thanks Sally, these are absolutely amazing and inspiring. Both our boys are autistic, and language is obviously a huge issue, so we also got one off those little cabinets with the little draws from our hardware store, and each draw has a letter on it with little objects inside the draw that begins with the same letter. For instance in the draw wit a ‘d’ is a small plastic donkey, dolphin, dog, dinosaur etc. And it is amazing how it has helped them to recognise the letters and name the objects. And they love it when we ‘play’ with it.
I love that idea! It reminds me of the Montessori movable alphabet inspiration. Thank you for sharing your inspiration!!!
I love the birthday ideas where students decorate the initial letter of their name. For the sign in sheet are the students tracing or coloring the initial letter of their name. I’m going to implement that sign in for my class.
Where did you get the birthday letters? I Love the idea.
Michaels and Hobby Lobby both carry them!
Do you give the letters to the student at the end of the year? The letters made of found items is a great Idea. Did the children do this in class or was this a project they did with family members at home? Did provide the open-ended materials and help the students assemble the letters?
Yes, the children took the letters home at the end of the year. I make new ones with each class. You could do it either way, either a home project or at school. We did ours at school! That is what I love about found item projects, they are so creative and don’t cost a thing!
We also have letter rocks outside
Sarah, that is a great idea! Bringing the alphabet outdoors in such a natural way.
I Iove the many creative ideas- The Birthday Letter is so sweet a great way to include as a family project. Preschool sign in sheet is perfect.so inspiring thanks.
So many ideas, thank you sally. I love it
Thank you for sharing these great ideas. I’m looking forward to try them out.
Some creative ideas, thank you
Loved the birthday idea!Thanks for sharing.
It is very important to display letters in the classroom environment. This was absolutely inspiring, and the approach was powerful. I learned a very fun and easy ideas that I will implement in my future classroom.
Thank You for sharing this.
I love that each learning experience is meaningful for the children. It is very important that teachers provide print materials for the children to create for their own environment. I love this very much! Definitely bringing these ideas to my classroom. Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome Nurulyana. And we are so happy you love the ideas!
You can also writhe the name then cut it as a puzzle and let the child fix it they love it or you can have the name of the student and the child would use the playdough to write it the same.
Love love the twig letters! We use nature quite a bit to express letters and create words. Our kids love writing in the sand and using rocks and pebbles to make words.
Great ideas here, thank you for the inspiration.
Tina W.
Wow! I can’t wait to read the rest of your posts about Reggio Emilia! I don’t believe I have seen this particular style yet and look forward to learning more about it!
I am so excited I found this site, very inspiring.I can’t wait to learn more and for the upcoming conference.
Yay! So happy you are here!
Just want to say thanks for having me loving all the great ideas ??
I am happy to get this site and thankful to one of my instructor who informed me about this site as it has lots of great ideas which I know will help me in my future career! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for ideas.
Great ideas, fun, and artistic.
Thank you for sharing this.
All these images exemplify beauty and great creativity.
The wood circles with letter is a lovely idea for each individual to child to “sign in”.( reinforcing “their” letter),alphabet wall ( each child could take it a step further and try and make their name!), love the birthday letter creation, colored sand concept great maybe could have a smaller one for each individual child to practice “ their” letters! All fabulous in their own way. Thanks so much for sharing, very inspirational.