| Some things become so ingrained in the | | | | prominently in the curriculum. |
| consciousness that most people never think to | | | | Reggio Emilia Schools were originally developed by |
| question them. The standard model for public schooling | | | | Loris Malaguzzi in conjunction with the parents in the |
| is one of those things, so much so that many parents | | | | village of Reggio Emilia, Italy. In reaction to the violence |
| never think that there might be another way to | | | | and upheaval of World War II, parents felt their children |
| educate their children. However, across the globe, | | | | needed a gentle approach to education, and |
| alternative schools are becoming increasingly popular, | | | | developed the standards of the school with that in |
| and the notion that there is only one way to learn is | | | | mind. Reggio Emilia schools take an open, child-led |
| moving into the history books. Below are four | | | | approach to education, allowing children to learn at their |
| alternative educational philosophies that are changing | | | | own rate and according to their own interests. |
| the way people look at education. | | | | Democratic Schools, such as the Sudbury Valley |
| Montessori Schools are based on the work of Dr. | | | | School in Framingham Massachusetts, take a similar |
| Maria Montessori, an Italian woman who pioneered the | | | | approach as the Reggio Emilia schools, but take the |
| idea that intellect was malleable rather than fixed. | | | | idea of educational freedom a step further. Rather |
| Montessori education revolves around the dictum | | | | than simply guiding their own academics, students |
| 'teach me to do it myself' and encourages | | | | democratically decide on issues such as school |
| independence - both academic and in daily life - in its | | | | governance and protocol. Students are never 'taught,' |
| students. | | | | anything, rather they are supported and guided on their |
| Waldorf Schools were developed by philosopher and | | | | learning journey. |
| scientist Rudolf Steiner, who was hired to develop | | | | When deciding on an educational path for a child, it is |
| schools for the children of workers in the Waldorf | | | | certainly worthwhile to investigate these educational |
| Cigarette Factory after World War II. Based on | | | | alternatives as well as others, such as homeschooling |
| Steiner's theories of anthroposophy, Waldorf schools | | | | or even unschooling. Each child learns in his or her own |
| encourage delayed academics, favoring an arts-based | | | | way, and there is no one way to teach every child. |
| elementary education. Watercolor painting, nature | | | | When a learning method is tailored to a child's individual |
| study, beeswax modelling, baking and storytelling play | | | | needs, the child is certain to respond. |