Pedagogical Approach | Miles of Smiles

Our Pedagogical Approach

Here at Miles of Smiles, we offer the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach to learning.

Based on the belief that all children are active and competent learners,

this unique learning approach helps to bring all aspects of children learning together holistically through collaboration with parents and making the environment as our third teacher.

Our teachers also employ different teaching methods and techniques: Questioning, Scaffolding, Guidance and Documentation to equip children with relevant skills and knowledge.

Reggio Emilia Approach

Image of Child

Children are viewed as strong, competent and capable learners who are motivated to seek answers and construct their own understanding of the world they live in (Reggio Emilia-inspired Pedagogy and Philosophy, n.d.).They are capable of exploring complex and abstract ideas using everything from play to a variety of hands-on learning experiences (Martalock, 2012).

Similarly, at Miles of Smiles, we believe that through understanding who children are, they are capable of and how they develop and learn, it guides us in creating meaningful learning experiences for the young ones (Ministry of Education, 2012).

Role of Teacher

Teachers in reggio emilia approach view themselves as children’s partners in learning where teachers co-construct understanding and discover with children through acting as a guide and resource in their learning experience (Feeney, Moravcik, & Nolte, 2013).

Our teachers at Miles of Smiles preschool also carefully observe and documents the development of children based on the belief that reggio emilia teachers should reflect upon their practices and provide affirmations to children that their work and play are highly valued (Carter, 2007).

Hundred languages of children

Based on the concept that “The Child has a Hundred Languages.”, it is believed that that The One Hundred Languages is a metaphor for the extraordinary potentials of children, their knowledge-building and creative processes (Rinaldi, 2013).

Children are encouraged to use all their senses beyond verbal and written communication to express themselves in any way they feel most comfortable (Goodwin College, 2017).

These modes of expression may include drawing, painting, dramatic and dancing (Feeney, Moravcik, & Nolte, 2013).

Environment as 3rd Teacher

Reggio Emilia approach recognises and strongly values the environment as a ‘third teacher’ (National Childcare Accreditation Council, 2016).

As children construct knowledge through their interactions with their learning environment (Feeney, Moravcik, & Nolte, 2013), our school provides the freedom and access to a wide variety of materials that fosters children’s creativity and imagination through the work of young hands manipulating objects or making art (Biermier, 2015).

Miles Of Smiles