Parents who pursue a progressive education for their kids will generally encounter three types of progressive teaching philosophies in New York: Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf. While these schools share similarities, each offers a distinct progressive teaching philosophy. But there’s another option: Vivvi, an early education model that brilliantly combines key qualities of the three schools. We spoke to Lynne Mueller, the Director of Learning at Vivvi, about the program’s novel approach to a progressive education.
What is the progressive teaching philosophy of Montessori, Reggie Emilia, and Waldorf schools?
The Montessori method is a child-centered method of education that involves child-led activities, classrooms with children of varying ages, and teachers who encourage independence among their pupils. Montessori schools use a hands-on learning environment and open-ended learning materials.
Reggio Emilia schools view young children as individuals who are curious about their world and can learn from their surroundings. Reggio has a project-based approach, where curriculum topics are driven by the interest of the students. The environment is the “third teacher” and community is an integral part of the school experience.
The underlying principle of the Waldorf philosophy is a dependable routine. A Waldorf school emphasizes creativity, imagination, and disconnecting from technology with oral language as a hallmark of that progressive teaching philosophy.
How has Vivvi adopted the best qualities from the progressive education movement?
The Vivvi learning model has taken key components of Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio and has integrated them in a high-level curriculum. For example, like Reggio schools, Vivvi supports children’s curiosity about the world around them. Vivvi’s spaces engage young learners with simplicity and interaction. In addition, Vivvi mimics Montessori’s focus on the whole child. Each month, teachers map out child-inspired thematic webs, a practice that emphasizes that each child’s journey is unique.
And like the Waldorf progressive education philosophy, Vivvi uses inquiry questions throughout the day to create powerful early learning opportunities through oral language experiences. Open-ended in nature, Vivvi sees inquiry questioning techniques as a wonderful opportunity for building a foundation of success in language expression and early literacy.
What is Vivvi’s progressive education philosophy?
By using the best of Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf models of progressive education philosophy, Vivvi’s founders came up with a balanced approach to learning that encourages children to engage in their learning in ways that seem natural to them.
The heart of Vivvi’s progressive teaching philosophy features the following principles:
- Children are actively involved in the direction of their learning.
- Projects and activities make use of all five senses and focus on movement, observation, and tactile exploration.
- Children are actively engaged with their peers and learning environment.
- Children are given endless opportunities to express themselves.
Why should parents choose Vivvi?
There are many great choices for parents who are seeking a progressive education in New York. In fact, it can be difficult to figure out which progressive teaching philosophy to follow. One advantage of Vivvi’s program is that parents are partners in their child’s education—they receive daily updates, webinars on child development, and opportunities to connect with teachers and other members of the Vivvi community.
Also, Vivvi prepares its students for a lifetime of progressive learning. What distinguishes Vivvi is that the learning model goes beyond the basics and provides a holistic approach for supporting each child in an intentional way. As a result, children develop positive attitudes about school and learn how to identify and pursue their passions.
