Mr. Bryan explains why provocations are so important. “Within the Reggio philosophy, children are encouraged to be the directors of their own learning. It is our job as educators to observe, foster individual curiosities, and create a sense of wonder in the classroom. This is most often done through providing materials & open-ended experiences that allow children the freedom to interpret them in their own, unique ways! As they explore, new concepts present themselves naturally. Take the kinetic sand provocation for example; at first glance, it may be hard to picture a concrete purpose for the activity. But, when we observe & reach below the surface… so much more is present. There are scientific concepts when discussing the kinetic sand’s consistency. There are math concepts when we discuss the volume in the amount of sand they use. Our discussions present opportunities for vocabulary growth. The ideas & possibilities are truly vast!!!”
