The first step to creating a Reggio-inspired classroom was basic editing. I started by just looking around my space, and determining where there was visual distraction. It was the colour of the bulletin boards, cupboard doors, area dividers and material containers that I was most overwhelmed with in terms of visual distraction.
Using nature as my guide, I selected colours from a soft palette that reminded me of the colours of sand, rocks, and water. An immediate change occurred in the environment when the bulletin boards and cupboard doors were painted with these softer colours. I then removed any coloured storage bins and replaced them with white bins or baskets. Look at the before and after images to see the difference that colour can make…
I was introduced to your blog by Leah Kearney, who is the instructor for my Kinder AQ this summer.
She says you are excited about your new experiment, and I’m excited to see how it goes!
The changes in your room look great – the new look of the room is so beautiful, inspiring and peaceful.
Looking forward to reading and seeing more,
Megan Kenzie Vernon
The changes to the room made for an environment that encouraged appreciation, interest, and sustained engagement in the children. There are some changes that I plan to make in the layout and materials for this September – and will photograph them and document them when I set the room up at the end of August. I look forward to more discussion as I add to the blog… thanks, Alison Board
Thank you for inviting us to your blog. I am forwarding this on to our team and we look forward to posting pictures of our classrooms when they are completed.
Our classrooms are much smaller than yours so I know that we will have some questions about space and areas you think are a must.
Happy August
Julie
Hi Julie – thanks for forwarding the link on to others. The year before last, I had a much smaller room for kindergarten and understand the challenges. I will add some photos of the smaller scale learning centres from that room… Talk to you soon, ~Alison
Hi Alison,
I love the look of your room. It is so inspiring and refreshing! I will be visiting this May. See you then.
Thanks for sharing ~ Joanna D’Amico