montessori method and reggio emilia approach

NINI DESIGN kids furniture is inspired by Montessori Method and Reggio Emilia schools Approach. The key idea is to allow children – even the younger ones – to be independent in movements and in inclinations, so that they can develop their self-esteem. Both the pedagogies propose a child-friendly environment that satisfy kids’ needs. NINI projected such a safe and stimulating space inside home. We want our kids to live in a safe nest that can teach them to fly away without fears…

What is Montessori Method

Maria Montessori realized that child develops his independence, self-confidence and creativity trough exploration. His mind is naturally a sponge who can absorb concepts and “lessons” from the environment. That’s why the classroom, in Montessori school, is organized to propose materials and experiences. Furniture is lightweight and low, even children can move it around. The space is safe and open, designed to let kids discover and explore.

What is Reggio Emilia Approach

Loris Malaguzzi founded the Reggio Children Approach, a pedagogy experimented in Reggio Emilia schools and pre-schools. He thought child as an active and eager learner, capable to express himself in “100 Languages”. Child interacts with school’s community and environment: this one changes to set his learning experience. A neat, well-finished and child-friendly space creates familiarity and psychological well-being.

The importance of stimuli in the first years of life

In the first years of life, children build the neurological architecture of the brain, which is strengthened through experiences that influence its development. (https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/).

The importance of autonomy and order

As Maria Montessori has widely argued in her studies, exercising autonomy from the early years of life allows the child to train the memory and use logic. He needs to make exercises within his reach. It is very important, for this purpose, that the surrounding environment can present an order that facilitates child’s concentration.

The development of creative languages of the mind

Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the educational approach experimented in the nurseries of Reggio Emilia and renamed “Reggio Children approach”, established the educational centrality of fantastic and imaginative languages in child development. Languages that have been widely proposed in schools and ateliers, and have seen Munari as a forerunner, proposing laboratories, where “mental gymnastics” is practiced, to learn observing reality with all the senses.

The development of motricity and coordination

The ability and precision in both large and fine motor skills is the basis of all mental functions, therefore encouraging the free experimentation of movements is surely one of the main sources of learning.

The importance of aesthetics

At the foundation of the Reggio children approach, there is an aesthetic dimension of learning: the idea that beauty produces knowledge and vice versa. If pedagogy meets architecture, they can offer children the pleasure to live in a space and the chance to develop aesthetic understanding.