The Candy Stores

January 2016
The children had turned into treasure hunters and shopkeepers. 
As I moved through the long house, examining the 'fares' on each table, I was astonished by the diversity of the materials. Further more, I could see the children's distinct personalities which aligned perfectly with what follows:

The Hundred Languages of Children
Probably the most well-known aspect of the Reggio Emilia Approach. The belief that children use many many different ways to show their understanding and express their thoughts and creativity.
A hundred different ways of thinking, of discovering, of learning. Through drawing and sculpting, through dance and movement, through painting and pretend play, through modelling and music, and that each one of these Hundred Languages must be valued and nurtured.
These languages, or ways of learning, are all a part of the child. Learning and play are not separated.
The Reggio Emilia Approach emphasis's hands-on discovery learning that allows the child to use all their senses and all their languages to learn.

JUDE'S COLLECTION       
You can almost see the licorice, the ju-jubes... it's all there... sorted out for your mouth to salivate! Can you see the emerging mathematics too?

EMILIO'S COLLECTION     
It is all about the senses... Never mind the candies, here is a great big cookie! It smells good, it feels good with lots of textures and if you dare... it will be tasty too!

BRECCAN AND CHANCE'S COLLECTION  
Breccan and Chance shared a table with ease as they both contributed to a common vision. Their appreciation of order, precision and  sequences is visible in their display. They both can be very focused and disciplined as long as their goal is achieved.

ODEN'S COLLECTION                                                                                            
Oden has an appreciation for details and aesthetics. In his collection, there are no two "candies" the same. His collection reminds me of sushi!