The early childhood educational system of the municipality of Reggio Emilia, Italy, provides the inspiration and principles upon which the Center is built.
- Parent’s voices are heard in newsletters, in documentation, in photographs, and in the classrooms.
- Michigan Core Curriculum standards are embedded in an emerging child-centered curriculum
- Ongoing collaboration among children, teachers and parents is documented and displayed throughout the building.
- Ideas and theories of the children are beautifully communicated through clay, wire and drawing materials.
- Groupings at the Discovery Center are multi-age and flexible, created to support interests, abilities and teaching points.
- Each student is formally assessed in the Michigan Core Curriculum twice a year.
- Each child has Portfolios containing authentic assessments of quality work.
- Creative maps and charts make visible the daily schedule for each classroom.
- Teachers, parents and children construct knowledge together through well-planned conversation and activities.
- Children are involved in solving all problems in the school from caring for animals to getting along with each other.
- Beautiful spaces throughout the school provoke and support learning.
- The relationship between the inside and the outside of the school is obvious in the lighting, plants, trees, and water.
- Partnerships are forged between the school and neighborhood organizations.
- Technology is available to enhance the teaching-learning process.
- Teachers are dedicated to continuous professional development.
- The Studio provides a lab for exploration of materials and ideas.
- Diversity is a celebration made visible in plants, animals, people, and perspectives.
