Professional Development Program For Teachers Of Young Children
The Merrill-Palmer Institute offers professional development programs for early childhood educators who are interested in exploring how the principles of Reggio Emilia can enrich their classrooms. Since 1993, the Merrill-Palmer Institute has introduced the Reggio approach to children, teachers and administrators in public school systems, Head Start programs, private centers and corporate child care centers. The early childhood program of Reggio Emilia, Italy, is world-renowned for its innovative approach to education. Cited by Newsweek as the best early childhood education program in the world, the Reggio approach is revitalizing the early childhood community and inspiring unique enthusiasm among teachers, parents and children.
Program Description
Merrill-Palmer professional development consultants work with early childhood administrators and teachers to design programs according to the context of each educational community. Within the program, teachers:
• Learn about Reggio principles and how educators in the country have made changes in their classrooms;
• Collaborate with their colleagues through interactive small focus-group sessions;
• Create changes in their own classrooms based on professional observation and feedback sessions;
• Develop exciting, on-going project ideas through collaboration with colleagues, children and parents;
• Enhance their skills in observing and documenting children's processes of learning.
Merrill-Palmer professional development consultants partnered with the Detroit Public Schools' early childhood educators for five years and with City of Detroit Head Start teachers for seven years in Reggio-inspired professional development programs. MPI consultants have also worked with Bay City Public Schools, Wyoming Public Schools and the Compuware Child Development Center. Find out why Reggio is generating so much excitement in the United States. Explore basic Reggio principles and learn how teachers from a variety of U.S. programs are inspired by the Reggio approach.
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