The Age recently spoke with Head of ELC Mary Grummet about the groundswell of interest in
student-centred approaches to early childhood education

The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education has become a worldwide educational movement embraced by many Australian Early Learning Centres. 

But what does it mean in practice?  

Caulfield Grammar School, which has Early Learning Centres (ELCs) at Malvern and Wheelers Hill campuses, draws on a range of different approaches, including Reggio Emilia.  

“What we’ve done is take what really fits with our values – and embracing diversity is one of those, and inspiring creativity,” says Mary Grummet, Head of Caulfield Grammar’s ELCs. 

The Reggio Emilia approach is named after its city of origin in Italy’s north. One of the founders was a young teacher who helped parents provide care for their children after the disruptions of World War II. 

Central to the philosophy is a poem 100 Languages, which symbolises the endless potential of children and their ability to wonder. 

Grummet says the approach is based on the idea that every child has the right to quality education and should be seen as being curious, capable and creative – “not this sort of cute little child who just needs support and help with everything”. 

The approach also highlights the importance of the learning environment. Caulfield Grammar’s ELCs are set up to be highly engaging, beautiful centres that encourage various types of learning. An example, says Mary, was when a teacher set up a painting easel and rested the book Welcome to Country on it. 

“One of the children had opened the book and was starting to paint a replica of one of the pages. The teacher and the co-educator saw her doing this and were fascinated by the detail and the way in which she kept referring to the page.” 

While the rest of the children were busy playing with blocks, drawing or doing puzzles, the educators were able to ask the girl deeper questions. 

“That for me just absolutely captured the way in which the environment can act as the third teacher,” says Mary.  

Projects are also a huge part of the Reggio Emilia approach. 

For example, Caulfield Grammar undertook a cross-campus project involving the idea of a rainbow, which led to discussions around topics including colour and light. 

A project this year explores culture through the senses, which has inspired one classroom to create a cookbook based on recipes from home. 

Prospective parents are encouraged to visit an ELC open day to see first-hand how Caulfield Grammar is putting Reggio Emilia into practice.