​100 Stories, L'Atelier-the Art of Playful Inquiry.

 

The Atelier is anchored in twenty years of teaching experience in the United States, England and Switzerland. It is my aim, with the support of the 100 Stories Interest Group, to create a space dedicated to young children, that is rooted in process art and play in Richterswil, Switzerland. 

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​Why this pedagogy, and why am I passionate about incorporating the arts in early childhood education? The Reggio Emilia pedagogy embraces a child's natural curiosity and places them at the centre of their own learning experience. A question, or invitation to engage with the materials is offered. There is a shift away from activities that are modeled after an adult's example, and instead gives a child more autonomy. Simultaneously, there is structure and a method of teaching which encourages critical thinking, inquiry and a love for the learning process. Although the Reggio Emilia pedagogy is not solely focused on the visual arts, I enjoy incorporating the visual arts with young children to make the space more inclusive, and to connect them to content across the curriculum. It opens up conversation, team-work, connection and joy even in the youngest children!   

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In the programs, the sessions are facilitated by teachers, and the group sizes are purposefully kept small, to preserve a quality of practice, and to provide a nurturing  environment for young children. The language of the Atelier is English, German and Swiss German.