Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom [Paperback]

Susan Fraser (Author), Carol Gestwicki (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0766825442 | ISBN-13: 978-0766825444 | Publication Date: July 20, 2001 | Edition: 1

"Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom" introduces readers to the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Developed at the preschools and infant-toddlers center in Reggio Emilia, Italy, this program has received international attention. It offers examples of how Reggio principles have enhanced classroom practices of a variety of child educators and how those involved with Reggio principles have enhanced their own classroom practices. A practical and inspiring work, this book introduces the principles that guide excellent preschools.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carol Gestwicki had been an instructor in the Early Childhood Education program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, for more than 20 years. Her teaching responsibilities have included supervising students in classroom situations as they work with parents. Earlier in her career, she worked with children and families in a wide variety of community agencies and schools in Toronto, New York, New Jersey, and Namibia. She received her MA from Drew University. She has been an active member of NAEYC for many years, making numerous presentations at state and national conferences. Other publications include more than two dozen articles on child development and family issues, and script-writing and design of 14 audiovisual instructional programs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (July 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766825442
• ISBN-13: 978-0766825444
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #637,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book: what quality early childhood care should be, March 9, 2002

By 

P. Heaphy (West Haven, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom (Paperback)

This book should be a required read for anyone studying to teach early childhood education, but anyone interested Reggio Emilia or young children will find this an excellent resource. Through the lens of the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the book looks at "the image of the child", "the role of the teacher", environment, documentation, relationships, curriculum, aesthetics, and finally "the Hundred Languages of Children". It is a highly enjoyable read, rich with real life examples of Reggio in practice, as well as the reality of the challenges faced by teachers. Wonderful!!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource, August 8, 2007

By 

Ashes Sarrico "helpless book nerd" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom (Paperback)

I just recently graduated with my masters degree in education and just got a job as a kindergarten teacher for this school year. During my graduate studies I became intrigued with the ideas from the Reggio Emilia schools: Documentation, Projects, the studio, collaboration, spaces, etc. I really wanted to be able to bring these ideas to my own classroom. I have read a lot of literature out there about Reggio Emilia and the various ideas associated with them- But a lot of those books are very academic and wordy and force you to ponder deep issues, which is great, but I'm not a grad student anymore. I need something a little bit more easy to read, with less theory and such and more how-to's. So I found Authentic Childhood and love it! It lays out the basic ideas of Reggio Emilia in a really accessible way. It has been a nice addition to my professional library. I mean, there is still theory in this book- but its Micheal Crichton-level reading, not James Joyce.
I also recommend: In the Spirit of the Studio (Learning from the Atelier of Reggio Emilia) and Making Learning Visible. These are valuable tools for any educator!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!, February 8, 2010

By 

Joan Lowe "Reggio Inspired Joan" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Authentic Childhood: Experiencing Reggio Emilia in the Classroom (Paperback)

This book was written at just the right level for teachers and has the right amount of information.
Amazon got it to me super quickly and has such great service!