Learning Beyond the Classroom
Our approach to learning grows with children. From the curiosity, relationships, and many languages of Reggio-inspired early childhood education to the deeper investigations and real-world projects of our older students, we invite children to wonder, question, create, and make meaning.
From Wonder to Investigation
Reggio Emilia and Project Based Learning are not identical approaches, but they share an important belief: children are capable, curious thinkers who learn through meaningful experiences, relationships, investigation, collaboration, and reflection.
How Learning Grows
Wonder
Investigate
Create
Reflect
Share
A Few Places to Begin
Curious about the ideas that influence learning at First Pres? These are a few of our favorite places to explore.
The Hundred Languages of Children
Explore the Reggio Emilia experience and the idea that children communicate, think, create, and understand the world in many different ways.
PBLWorks
Explore Project Based Learning through project examples, videos, articles, tools, and resources from the organization that helped introduce our teachers to PBL.
Creating Empathy Through Documentary Photography
Ross Taylor explores how documentary photography can help us understand people and the world around us with greater empathy.
Last Child in the Woods
Richard Louv explores children's relationship with the natural world—a natural companion to our own nature-based approach to learning.
Books to Explore
A few books that can help parents see the ideas behind our learning environments from different perspectives.
The Hundred Languages of Children
A foundational exploration of the Reggio Emilia experience, including children's many languages, relationships, and documentation.
Learn MoreLast Child in the Woods
A widely read exploration of children's connection with nature and the importance of meaningful experiences in the natural world.
Learn MoreMaking Learning Visible
An exploration of how documentation can help make individual and group learning visible and deepen the learning process.
Explore the ProjectSee Learning in Action
Creating Empathy Through Documentary Photography
Ross Taylor explores the ways documentary photography can create greater insight into what it means to be human—and a more empathetic understanding of others.
Watch the TalkExplore How Children Learn at First Pres.
Learn more about the ideas and commitments behind our classrooms.
Curiosity Doesn't Stop Here.
These organizations offer even more opportunities to learn about Reggio-inspired education, documentation, and Project Based Learning.
We believe learning becomes richer when children have space to wonder, the tools to investigate, and an audience willing to listen.