IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

Observational drawing of a Tulip Tree leaf

Many years ago, Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio approach wrote a beautiful poem titled The Hundred Languages of Children. The message of this poem is that young children have many ways to express what they know about the world including drawing, painting, drama, sculpture, dance and many, many more.  In many schools today, the capacity children have for showing what they know in a myriad of creative ways is overlooked in favor of expressing knowledge through only reading, writing and arithmetic.  Continue Reading »

Tags: arithmetic, art, Malaguzzi, poem, reading, Reggio, writing

This entry is one of a series of entries designed to familiarize families with the core values of the Reggio approach to education.  In the Preschools and Infant-Toddler centers of Reggio Emilia and in Reggio inspired schools in the United States, educators have what is referred to as a strong “image of the child”.  A definition of “image of the child” would be capable, creative and responsible.   Continue Reading »

Tags: capable, children, creative, image of the child, preschool, Reggio, responsible, thinking

I recently read a wonderful book written by educator Ron Berger.  The book titled An Ethic of Excellence: Building a Culture of Craftsmanship with Students was published in 2003, and it provides beautifully descriptive examples of what project-based learning can look like in elementary school classrooms.  Continue Reading »

Tags: classrooms, project, student

Daniel Pink describes himself as a reformed attorney.  His best selling books A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future and Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us provide a fresh perspective on the importance of creativity and motivation in schools and in the workplace. Continue Reading »

Tags: creativity, motivation, schools

At the IPS/Butler University Laboratory School, our collective image of the child (values and beliefs about children and learning) includes a belief that children are capable, creative and curious. Our staff looks for inspiration from many sources. Sir Ken Robinson inspires us to think more deeply about the role of creativity in schools and how an emphasis on creative thinking has the potential, not only to transform school as we know it, but also the work place and by extension, our economy. Continue Reading »

Tags: capable, creative, curious, image of the child, inspiration, schools, think