WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION?

Progressive is a buzzword in the world of education.

Many schools and daycares bill themselves as progressive,

but what does it really mean?

There are many definitions of progressive education. At Bija, we believe in early childhood education that is play and art based, exploratory, and emergent. That means we take into account students’ interests, we push boundaries with our creativity and we allow children to learn through exploration. We don’t follow set standards. We acknowledge that kids grow at their own rates and each child is an individual that needs something different. Often, this gets mistaken as a “free-for-all”. It’s not. We still have expectations, routines, and structure. Children feel safe when there is routine and they thrive when we set high expectations. We don’t mean academic expectations, but rather life expectations. We want our children to be good people. We want them to be curious and excited about learning. We believe in a progressive approach because it’s inclusive, honors each child and allows for unlimited amounts of creativity and exploration. Students in progressive schools are taught to love learning, not necessarily to learn anything specific. This is a powerful distinction because establishing a love of learning, especially at a young age, supports lifelong success.

Our take on progressive education includes a focus on life skills and social/emotional development. If we want children to be successful people, then we must start by giving them the basic tools to progress in life. It is imperative that kids learn how to become part of a classroom community. This includes understanding their role in the group, communicating effectively with teachers and peers, and knowing how to be apart of the classroom. At Bija, children are given the language to speak about how they feel and learn about conflict resolution. They learn how to care for one another. We also have a strong focus on life skills such as putting on shoes, zipping your coat, clearing the table after snack time and helping to sweep the floor. Young children love to help in the classroom and at home. They will rise to the challenge if we have confidence that they can achieve these things. At a progressive school like Bija, we know that children are capable.

At Bija, we believe in early childhood education that is play and art based, exploratory, and emergent.

WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION? 3

At Bija, there are three teachers: (1) the teacher, (2) the student (who also teaches

us), and (3) the environment. This idea comes to us through the Reggio Emilia

educational philosophy. The environment is set up in such a way that a child can

guide themselves throughout the classroom. They explore and learn simply by being

in the environment. In order to make that a reality, we must be intentional about

creating a space that is stimulating for children. The materials chosen and how the

materials are displayed are important parts of what makes a school progressive.

WHAT DOES A PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENT LOOK AND FEEL LIKE?

WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION? 4

Common materials at Bija include blocks,

clays and doughs, imaginative play

clothes, dolls, puzzles, manipulatives,

natural materials, recycled materials,

quality children’s books and art tools. We

take the seasons and our community into

account - preschool aged children need

relatable materials to become interested

in learning. You won’t find pre-made

posters on the wall, toys that require

batteries, or lots of primary colors and

plastic. In contrast, we have children’s

art work displayed, mostly wood toys

and furniture, and developmentally

appropriate materials. We also pay

special attention to the lifespan of the

things we choose, as well as how and

where they are made. Whenever possible

we choose things that are locally sourced

and created by people.

WHAT DOES A PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENT LOOK AND FEEL LIKE?

WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION? 5

At Bija, we also believe that the

environment should be beautiful and

minimal. Children deserve a serene

environment for learning and careful

attention to aesthetics is key to making

that possible. Our space is calm and

intentional, allowing for focus and

discovery. That includes the way artwork

is displayed, how furniture is laid out, and

what colors are chosen in the classroom.

The music we play and even the scent

of our space is selected with purpose.

We appreciate that people notice these

details when they enter Bija.

WHAT DOES A PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENT LOOK AND FEEL LIKE?

WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION? 6

We give children space to construct their own knowledge. This is key for them to feel ownership over their learning and is known in the world of education as emergent curriculum.

CURRICULUM

Our school curriculum is divided into three broad conceptual units. In addition, as we get to

know our students, emergent curriculum evolves throughout the year. Our three units are both

developmentally appropriate and relevant to our specific time and place. This year our students

are exploring apples, snowflakes and seeds.

We give children space to construct their own knowledge. This is key for them to feel ownership

over their learning and is known in the world of education as emergent curriculum. Emergent

curriculum is developed by observing children in play, conversations, and interactions with

other children and the environment. Teachers notice children’s interests and make adjustments

based on those observations. For example, through the introduction of apples we’ve had

conversations about orchards, seeds, dinner, and geography. Any one of these topics might

become a long term curriculum unit. This unit could last for as little as a few weeks or as

long as several months, depending on the student’s interest. Teachers and students are

collaborators in this process.

WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION? 7

CURRICULUM

Emergent units and ideas are incorporated into teacher lead art, theatre, music, science and

movement enrichment on a daily basis. These enrichment areas coupled with daily meetings,

snacks, lunch and play, provide the framework for social interaction and the introduction of

important life skills. We might sing a song about trees during morning meeting or pretend to

fly kites in an orchard during yoga. At snack time we practice sitting at the table properly and

having conversations with our peers. When snack is finished, students place their glasses and

dishes in a washbin, wipe tables, and sweep the floor. By helping children develop the skills

they need to be independent, graceful individuals, we are preparing them for the next steps in

life. Our emphasis on life skills creates a truly progressive curriculum that is unique to Bija.

Each year at Bija curriculum evolves and grows richer as a result of the creativity and

contributions of our teaching staff. This year we are excited to introduce sign language and

continue our focus on yoga and mindfulness - all because we have teachers skilled and inspired

to lead these enrichments for our children.

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Families choose Bija because they like our approach to education. This is

important to us. We know that children thrive when all the adults in their

lives - parents, educators and caregivers - are aligned in their approach.

Our progressive model is right for some families, but doesn’t resonate with

everyone. A traditional preschool setting might be a better fit.

Progressive education is whole child education. It allows children to explore

what’s meaningful to them and there is value in process. Traditional settings

focus on goals, standards, outcomes, and is product oriented. We always

advise parents to do a gut check when they are looking at schools. Do you like

the quality of the space? How articulate and knowledgeable are the teachers?

Does your child feel comfortable? Do the goals and approach of the school

make sense to you? Usually we know what’s right for us, we just need to take

a minute and tune in.

For more insight into Bija’s approach to progressive education join us for

an Open House or visit us on Facebook and Instagram. You will find daily

updates, ideas and articles relevant to parents, caregivers and educators alike.

PROGRESSIVE VS. TRADITIONAL - WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY?