The Role of the Atelier

The Reggio Emilia approach has influenced and enriched our teaching and learning practices as well as our general philosophy to education over the years. Our school has participated in many Reggio Emilia “study tour” events and our learning environment displays some Reggio Emilia influences. One of the most significant influences has been the introduction of the “Atelier” and “atelierista” concepts. This involves the use of a designated and well structured “art studio” area with a suitably qualified and experienced art teacher(atelierista). The purpose of the Atelier is to offer children the space and the opportunity to express their innate creativity as another language of communication.

Our children and teachers in both the Early Years and Elementary school engage in art projects which evolve within the PYP framework of Units of Inquiry and are supported in their learning and teaching by our school’s qualified art specialist. The Early years pupils carry out their project work in small groups in the Atelier while the Elementary pupils do so in their classrooms.

Below are some of the aims and objectives of the Atelier
To activate a child’s hands, brain and emotions . . .
A possibility to help a child’s great skills to emerge . . .
To cultivate imagination and strengthen a child’s sense of possibility. ..
To light up fires and passions…

Aims
A child comes across new realities daily. He/she sees them, feels them. Objects inspire feelings of admiration, curiosity, empathy.
A child feels the passion of knowledge, a powerful feeling that can give direction to his/her encounters and build up a dialogue.
The main objective is seeing children, boys and girls alike, using their very own individual or gender-related strategies, never uninterested.

Methodologies
The child meets with different experimental materials: paper, fabric, clay, brushes and paints, buttons, wire, string etc..
Slowly he/she learns the technical properties that enhance those materials and unveil their vital energy.