Ensuring dialogue between children and materials for children to become protagonists in creating a sustainable future: Responding Reggio Emilia approach

 The study explores the meanings of ensuring and promoting dialogue between children and materials in the atelier at a day nursery center in Shizuoka, Japan.  In times of global uncertainty, not only for the economic and... [ view full abstract ]

 The study explores the meanings of ensuring and promoting dialogue between children and materials in the atelier at a day nursery center in Shizuoka, Japan.  In times of global uncertainty, not only for the economic and political world, but also the field of educational practice including early childhood education and care are under pressure for producing panacea/one-right-answer. This situation may enforce teachers for for carrying out pre-packaged curriculum and materials.  In other words, this types of practice may deprive the children's ability to wonder and investigate as well as their rights as citizens.  We need to guarantee space, time, and materials for the children to play roles as co-constructors of knowledge and researchers as human capital of the world.  Loris Malaguzzi (2015) stresses the importance of believing children's infinite wealth and potential, and practicing critical reflection of teachers.   Moreover, Malaguzzi (2001) states that dialogue, exchange, comparing ideas and listening are the essentials on authentic practice.    In this study, the authors collaborated with Ejiri-Hoikuen Day-Nursery in Shizuoka, Japan to investigate how a male-teacher Ryo who engaged in wood-working with four 5 year-old-boys in an atelier.  Ryo created supportive and warm environment for each child to choose space, time, and materials for creating figures like insects and birds.  He never forced the children what or how to do.  Though, during the in-depth interview with Ryo, the authors found that he carefully observed each child's process of wood-work.  Every child took an initiative for exploring and studying various kinds of materials with secure minds and body.  The authors discovered and ensured that guaranteeing and listening to children's dialogue with materials and their surrounding the world as the way for developing the foundation for a sustainable future.