Creativity and Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Education in the Reggio Emilia Approach and Philosophy

Abstract

In the article the authors discuss the importance of parental creativity and involvement in early institutional education of a child on the example of Reggio Emilia educational method. Among the main aspects of this involvement are the quality of education, child support, cooperation between teachers and parents as well as a positive feedback. The authors of this paper also deal with one of the main aspects of early education—creativity and its importance for a child’s psychosocial development. The preschool curriculum has been designed for children of the preschool educational institutions to provide them with a rich learning experience and to help them to develop properly. Creative education starts at an early age, therefore kindergartens and families play a very important role in supporting and developing creativity in child’s everyday routine. It is stressed that being creative is primarily about taking initiatives and innovative behavior. These are the qualities required in contemporary society, especially by employers in private and public sectors. However, the process of involving parents in their child’s education starts at the preschool stage and plays the most important role in child’s socialization. It is also emphasized that if children feel the support of both educational subjects (teacher and parents) in the process of preschool education, they feel safer, more comfortable, and much more confident.