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Reggio Emilia Inspired Toys and more...

21 items

Diana

For the first 2.5 years of my daughter's life, I implemented the Montessori approach. Around the age of 3, I began incorporating the Reggio Emilia philosophy. I support both perspectives and believe that parents should adjust to each child's needs.
So, what is the Reggio Emilia philosophy? The Reggio Emilia approach focuses on early childhood education and emphasizes the importance of the environment, community, and self-directed, experiential learning. When it comes to kids and toys, the Reggi...

Sections

Toys as Tools for Exploration

Natural and Open-Ended Materials

Environment as the "Third Teacher"

Child-Led Play

Documentation and Reflection

Community and Collaboration

Toys as Tools for Exploration

In the Reggio Emilia approach, toys are viewed as tools that children can use to explore, create, and learn. They are not just objects for entertainment but are carefully selected to encourage imagination, problem-solving, and discovery.

This tool helps children explore the natural world up close. They can examine leaves, insects, or textures in detail, fostering a sense of curiosity and scientific inquiry.

Magnifying Glasses

These simple, open-ended toys allow children to explore concepts like balance, geometry, and architecture. They can be used to build structures, create patterns, or engage in imaginative play.

Standard Unit Blocks

A light table provides a platform for children to explore color, transparency, and light. They can place different materials on the table, like colored paper, translucent objects, or leaves, to see how they interact with light, fostering visual and s...

XL size Light table for sand drawing

Natural and Open-Ended Materials

Instead of conventional, pre-structured toys, the Reggio Emilia approach favors natural, open-ended materials. These can include items like wooden blocks, clay, stones, fabric, or recycled materials. Such materials allow children to use them in a var...

Shells can be used for sorting, counting, creating art, or as part of imaginative play, like pretending they are treasures or homes for small creatures.

Shell Mix with Starfish

These can be used for counting, creating patterns, building small structures, or as characters in storytelling.

Natural pebbles

These can be used in various ways, such as stacking, sorting by size, or incorporating them into imaginative play as trees, animals, or decorations.

Natural Pinecones

Environment as the "Third Teacher"

The environment plays a crucial role in the Reggio Emilia approach, often referred to as the "third teacher." Classrooms and play spaces are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, with a variety of materials and toys accessible to children, encouragi...

Providing children with small gardening tools, seeds, and plants allows them to directly interact with and care for living elements in their environment. They learn about growth, responsibility, and the natural world.

Gardening Tools

Objects like wind chimes, rain sticks, or even materials to create their own instruments can help children explore sound in their environment. They learn about how different materials and spaces affect sound, fostering a deeper sensory connection wit...

DIY Wind Chime Kits for Kids

Objects like translucent colored panels, prisms, or light filters can be used with natural sunlight to create colorful reflections and shadows. This allows children to explore light, color, and shape in their environment.

Translucent Colored Plastic Sheets

Child-Led Play

The Reggio Emilia approach emphasizes child-led play, where children choose how to engage with toys and materials based on their interests. Educators observe and support children’s play without directing it, allowing children to express themselves an...

Filled with materials like rice, sand, water, or beans, sensory bins allow children to explore textures and engage in tactile play. They can pour, scoop, and manipulate the materials, driving their own play experience.

Dinosaur Sensory Bin

Offering a variety of art materials allows children to express themselves freely. They can choose what to create, how to use the materials, and when to stop, fostering independence and creativity.

Arts and Crafts Supplies

A collection of costumes and props, like hats, scarves, and bags, encourages children to engage in imaginative role-play. They can create their own stories, act out scenarios, and explore different roles.

Dress Up Clothes

Documentation and Reflection

Educators in a Reggio Emilia setting document children’s interactions with toys and materials through photographs, videos, and notes. This documentation is used to reflect on the children’s learning processes and to plan future activities that build ...

Using bulletin boards or display areas to showcase photographs, artwork, and notes can create a communal space for reflection. This allows educators, children, and families to engage with the documented learning and celebrate achievements together.

Reflection Board for Teachers

Capturing photographs and videos of children at play allows educators to document their learning experiences visually. These can be used for presentations or discussions with parents and children.

Mini Instant Camera

Collecting samples of children’s work, such as art pieces, projects, and notes, in a portfolio helps track their progress over time. Portfolios can be shared with families and serve as a reflection of each child’s growth and development.

Portfolio Folders

Community and Collaboration

Collaboration, both among children and between children and adults. Toys and materials are often used in group settings to foster social interaction, communication, and shared learning experiences.

Simple board games designed for teamwork, such as “Hoot Owl Hoot!” or “The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game,” encourage children to work together towards a common goal rather than competing against each other.

Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot

Sets of oversized blocks, like foam or wooden blocks, allow multiple children to work together to build structures. This fosters collaboration, communication, and problem-solving as they share ideas and negotiate building designs.

XXL Building Blocks

These can be set up in a play area and encourage imaginative group play. Children can work together to create a space for role-playing scenarios, fostering cooperation and creativity.

Play Tents

Info Sources about the Reggio Emilia Approach

An audio about the RE approach with Diane Kashin

The Preschool Podcast | E03 - Reggio Emilia Approach and Pedagogical Documentation

This is a good video to understand the similarities and differences between the two philosophies.

MONTESSORI vs REGGIO EMILIA // Key Similarities & Differences

Another great, short video to introduce you to the RE approach.

Reggio Emilia Education