There are many schools in Bangkok that use the concepts from the Reggio Emilia approach. However, which schools are the most influenced by the approach in their overall programs? How do you pick the right one for your child and family?
There many schools that we found which use a variety of influences from the Reggio Emilia approach. However, they are each unique in their own use of the philosophy.
As we all know, the approach cannot be duplicated outside of Reggio Emilia, Italy, but we can incorporate the elements that work best for us. That is what all of these schools have done and continue to do well.
The Reggio-inspired schools listed below are the schools that we found that truly checked all the necessary boxes for us. We looked at their overall school design and how they used these Reggio-inspired facilities and classrooms. We noted if they used natural and recycled materials in their classrooms. Did they document learning of the child with pictures, quotes and artwork? Do they use observation techniques to research and learn alongside the child? We looked at if they display documentation inside and outside their classrooms and if they partner with the families on events or learning presentations. Additionally, we made sure they used a variety of “languages” to explore the project (the 100 languages refers to the many ways children explore, for example, clay, dance, light, etc.).
Furthermore, the Reggio Emilia approach is more commonly used for early years programs. Although, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, they use their philosophy with the elementary program which is considered experimental. We have found that many schools in Bangkok aligned with that belief and mostly used the approach for their early years programs only. After early years, they focused their programs on the curriculum of their choosing.
It's always a hard choice to pick the best school for your child. If you are looking for a Reggio-inspired school, it will depend on how long you plan for your child to study at that school. If you choose the program at a large international school, then they can easily move through the grades without changing schools. On the other hand, if you choose a smaller nursery or Kindergarten, your child will have more one-on-one time with the teacher and will not be lost in the larger school system and known as just another student. The schools are more catered to the child and their interests. Also, choosing a school will depend on the curriculum as well. Is your family from the UK and would prefer a school that uses the same standards or from the U.S., etc.? If your child goes to a school that uses the curriculum of your choice, then you won’t have to change schools later when they are older as well.
Here is a list of schools that we found were the most influenced by the Reggio Emilia pedagogy in Bangkok:
(please note: other than our school Sensory Play Academy, we are not affiliated to any of these schools)
Sensory Play Academy - uses the Reggio Emilia approach and American Curriculum in the blended, online program
ELC International School Bangkok - uses the philosophy for their entire school program and the Canadian Curriculum
https://www.elc.ac.th/
Purple Elephant - strictly the Reggio Emilia approach for these nursery schools
https://www.elc.ac.th/
Sprouts
https://sprouts.co.th
Raintree School - British Curriculum EYFS
https://raintreethailand.com
British Early Years Centre (BEYC) - British Curriculum
https://beyc.co.th
Bangkok Patana - uses the approach in their early years program, British Curriculum
https://www.patana.ac.th/
Hamilton International Preschool - British Curriculum
https://hamptonschool.ac.th
Annabel’s International Preschool and Kindergarten - British Curriculum EYFS
https://annabels.ac.th
Magic Years International School - IB PYP,
https://magicyears.ac.th
Didyasarin International School (D-PREP) - IB PYP, Canadian Curriculum
https://www.dprep.ac.th
RuamRudee International School (RIS) - American Curriculum
https://www.rism.ac.th
We are continuing to collect information on schools in Thailand to keep this blog post up-to-date, if you have any information to share or update us with, please email us at support@sensoryplayco.org Additionally, any schools that believe they should be included, please email us as we would love to learn more about your program.
For more information on our Reggio-Inspired subscription boxes, please go to www.sensoryplayco.org/reggio-inspired-box
If ordering locally, please go to the bottom page of Academy to order.
