The Language of Art in a Reggio-Inspired Program

As a Reggio-Inspired program, Bambini Learning Group often references the poem 100 Languages written by Loris Malaguzzi. We as a high-quality child care program know the importance of giving children the opportunity to express themselves in the ways that are most interesting and natural for them.

Our Bambini educators provide varied opportunities for children to move, explore, invent, create, dream, speak, sing, write, play, nurture, and create.

Art in a Reggio-inspired program looks very different than art in other child care programs.

This article explores these differences and illustrates the benefits of art, particularly when it’s process-focused as opposed to product-focused.

WHAT IS PROCESS-FOCUSED ART

Children need opportunities to explore materials and to create freely using the materials of their choosing. Their creations are open-ended and there is never an emphasis on an end-product.

Have you ever seen a young toddler painting at an easel? This is an excellent example of process-focused art. The toddler dabs the brush in paint and swipes it across the paper. They may fill every blank space on the paper or they may do a few strokes on the paper and then start another painting. We don’t ask the child what they are painting… because it’s not about the “what” of the experience. A child painting is about the experience itself:

they might be experimenting with how to hold the brush

they could be observing what happens when they use a little paint or a lot of paint

they may be testing how colours mix together

they might be exploring space (or lack thereof)

they could be experimenting with different ways to add paint to the paper

In this process-focused activity, the child is learning so much, not just about painting, but about themselves, their perceptions, and abilities.

Meanwhile, while the children are creating, our educators are observing and documenting the child’s explorations. If the child requires additional elements for the process of creating, the educator provides the materials they need.

Process-focused art produces representations that are unique to the individual child… which is integral in Reggio-inspired child care programs.

WHAT IS PRODUCT-FOCUSED ART

Have you ever seen a display of children’s art where all the creations have more similarities than differences? An example of this would be if children were each given an image of a tree trunk with branches and they were given different coloured leaves to glue onto the tree. This is what one would call product-focused art.

In product-focused art activities, there is always an expectation of a finished product. Children aren’t given the autonomy to create what they want. Specifically, in the mentioned example, they are expected to produce a tree with leaves at the end of the activity.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PROCESS-FOCUSED ART

Process-focused art has numerous benefits as it:

encourages creativity

allows imagination

is open-ended, not structured

does not have to be completed in one sitting (it can be added to and extended as much as the child wants)

encourages self-esteem (helps the child feel competent and boosts their confidence)

fosters cognitive skills such as problem-solving

is the child’s choice (not a forced activity)

Process-focused art is at the heart of Reggio-inspired programs like Bambini Learning Group. In fact, it is so vital to our program that it’s supported through events such as our Annual Children’s Art Gala.

CREATING SPACES FOR PROCESS-FOCUSED ART

Our newest program, Jensen Lakes Bambini, will have its own Atelier (art studio) to further encourage the children to create and explore the language of art. The studio will allow them the opportunity to partake in unique art experiences and will also provide space for them to store long-term, ongoing creations.

If you would like to learn more about how Bambini uses process-focused art in our programs, we invite you to book a tour with one of our exceptional Bambini experts.

Bambini Learning Group is a Reggio-inspired, holistic child care program located in Edmonton, Alberta. Their vision is to inspire families to live healthier, more meaningful lives. Through innovative, holistic, and supportive resources, Bambini is helping children live the authentic childhood they deserve. New locations coming soon! Contact Bambini for more information about their unique, holistic child care program at [email protected], or book a tour to see Bambini for yourself!