Head of Early Learning Centre

Expression through the ‘hundred languages’ 

The children in the Early Learning Centre are provided with daily opportunities to learn, explore, and make discoveries through the “hundred languages.” Our curriculum is guided by the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach, along with inquiry-based learning and nature pedagogy. We recognise that children think, communicate, and express themselves in many different ways, and we intentionally provide diverse opportunities each day for them to share their ideas, thoughts and creativity. 

Young children are encouraged to explore their environment and express themselves through all of their available expressive, communicative and cognitive languages, whether they be words, movement, drawing, painting, building, sculpture, shadow play, or music, to name a few. 

Edwards, Gandini & Forman, 1998 

Throughout the year, children in the ELC engage with a wide range of expressive languages, including painting, drawing, construction, storytelling, light and shadow exploration, sculpture, music, and movement. These experiences support them in expressing their thoughts and ideas, developing a sense of self, and building an understanding of the people and the world around them. 

As children grow through their experiences at the ELC and beyond, they often develop a natural preference for particular languages of expression. For example, one child may enjoy drawing as a way to communicate their ideas, while another may prefer to represent their thinking through construction. By providing a rich range of materials, tools, and resources, we enable children to explore many different languages and deepen their learning, creativity, and thinking. 

Ms Sarah Bethune

Head of Early Learning Centre