Listen to Lorraine Manuela, REANZ Trustee, owner of Tots Corner, in a Radio Waatea interview talking about the origins of Reggio Emilia, The Hundred Languages Exhibition and the REANZ Conference in October 2011.

Click to listen lorraine manuela

Listen to Part one: Brenda Soutar Part 1 of 3
Listen to Part two: Brenda Soutar Part 2 of 3
Listen to Part three: Brenda Soutar Part 3 of 3

In this classroom language, problem-solving and self-help skills are the “norm”. The children are active learners and teachers in their play. The environment is set up in the Reggio Emilia style whereby the environment is the third teacher. The children are able to interact with their environment, but there is also guidance from the teachers to encourage interest in the world around them.
The centre has installed a computer in this room so that the children can quickly access information on the things they’re interested in – with the opportunity to put together slide shows and video presentations using the classroom projector.
Here, the children are independent and mastering all the skills that have been initiated in the younger classrooms.
The children in the pre-school room are involved in short-term and long-term projects, based on their interests.
They’re encouraged to display their work on the walls for their families to view.

Here is one teacher’s Personal Reflections on The Crib.

REANZ our story, 2 Dec 09                                    REANZ Inspiration Centres report, Nov 09

By Chris Bayes

Fran Paniora and I visited Sophia Preschool recently. A small centre situated in the seaside village of Oakura, 20 minutes from New Plymouth. After being in contact with Adrienne, who set the centre up with her husband Ian, off and on now for over 3 years, I was unsure of what was waiting for us. Our emails had certainly tantalised my thinking about what might be… with stories of investigations, worries, questions and the never ending niggles of ‘are we on the right track?’.

Nothing prepared me for the joy that I would feel when I walked through the front door. Immediately a peaceful feeling enveloped me – and yes there were children present. I immediately wanted to gaze, read, ponder and think about what happens in these spaces that had been so lovingly set up for children.

The old villa has two smaller rooms and a larger room that makes welcoming spaces for the children to meet at times during the day in ‘home’ groups. The wrap around veranda that is sheltered by large trees, offers extra space for outdoor dining and sleeping out in summer. Each area has smaller spaces that have been created with interesting provocations. There is a gentle flow from indoors to the outdoors and you can see that both spaces are appreciated and valued by the adults as learning spaces.

The garden is just like you might remember from your childhood with many secret places for great games to be played out. The pirate’s kitchen has been made by the children taking over the undergrowth beneath trees that have obligingly provided a private grotto. The additional pots, pans, mud, leaves and other ‘intelligent resources’ allow for children to be involved in their work together.

Fruit trees and vegetable gardens provide daily sustenance and the composting programme ensures children are involved in gaining understandings of the life cycle of growing your own food. There are open spaces, quiet spaces, spaces to hide, to be bold in, to think, and to be with your mates.

“Success comes not from the work of one but the work of many”, Maori Proverb

One particular aspect that struck me was the connection that I could see to Maori. Gently woven images, te reo and props all coming together to show the importance of honouring Tangata Whenua. This deep, deep cultural respect that opens the doors for reciprocal, respectful relationships and friendships to flourish with Maori in the community is there for all to see.

Sophia isn’t just a space for children. Their families, the teachers and the Oakura community are also at home here and their presence is reflected throughout the centre.

Adrienne, Ian and the teaching team at Sophia have been working together for only 3 years now. Adrienne has often talked about the isolation she feels. The professional leadership and inspiration that is needed to support teachers to reach such high levels cannot be under estimated. Adrienne has spoken about the layers of experience that she has gained as she has been working with the provocations from Reggio Emilia – attending Reggio inspired conferences and attending the Melbourne study tour have been important, but critical has been the reading and studying together from Reggio books to get inspiration. Dotted around the centre I spotted ‘Remida’ ‘Beautiful Stuff’ and other books that were used to provoke children’s creativity and thinking.

I am reminded of words that Ingmar Bergman said:

“All of us collect fortunes when we are children – a fortune of colours, of light and darkness, of movement, of tensions. Some of us have the fantastic chance to go back to our fortunes when we grow up. Most of us don’t have that chance. That is the tragedy”.

The children at Sophia  are offered opportunities to collect fortunes that enable them to be confident, capable and strong learners who are citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand today.

It was a joy to visit and Fran and I have been invigorated by this opportunity. Thanks to you all at Sophia for your love and dedication – Sophia Preschool is a place with ‘heart’.

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