Ganeinu Preschool director Chana Novack discusses
Upgrading to Reggio Emilia Approach 
by Chana Novack
During a recent staff meeting I presented a simple question: “What can we do to provide our students with the highest level of education anywhere?”
We are so proud of what we have accomplished in the 10 plus years since we opened, but to continue with any great measure of success we must strive for excellence by constantly renewing ourselves and raising the bar for our teachers and students.
This challenge led to a quest to seek out the finest early child educational institutions, uncover their guiding philosophies, and strive to adapt them in ways that will benefit the children enrolled at Ganeinu. After many consultations, site visits and interviews, a new guiding philosophy was adopted and is now being transitionally implemented.
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
It’s an adage you’ve heard a million times. One village in northern Italy provides a deeper significance to the ancient African proverb. Reggio Emilia is more than just a village; it was in this place in the aftermath of the Second World War that Loris Malaguzzi developed a unique educational philosophy that came to be known as the Reggio Emilia Approach.
The Reggio Emilia approach in education focuses on a child's natural development. It's child-centered and directed, embracing the philosophy that learning must make sense to the student in order to be effective and meaningful. A child's point of view is completely respected and the student is encouraged to follow his or her own educational path.
The Reggio philosophy really spoke to me because it offers a broader context that goes hand-in- hand with many of the successful techniques we have always employed and provides the all-important child-centric focus.
As we enter our second decade of service to our community, we look back with pride and satisfaction as our students and graduates continue to excel. We look forward to adding a new dynamic and dimension to teaching for the benefit of students at Ganeinu on the First Coast.
Chana Novack is the founder and director of Ganeinu Early Childhood Development Center learn more at www.ganeinu.com