1. Reinventing Spaces Rethinking the Possibilities By Laura Carr

2. Repurposing Our Environment We are continually making improvements and changes to our environment. While reflecting on the ongoing changes made within our common shared spaces we recognized the beauty and function that these changes create. 3. Transforming our data center into an Atelier As we carefully considered the entire preschool environment, it seemed as if the underutilized data center, located near the plaza area, held the potential to become a studio. 4. Considerations in development After we cleared out the old equipment and materials, the space began to open up and allowed us to ask ourselves to consider specific questions regarding the design, purpose and function of this space. 5. Is this a purposeful, engaging, and beautiful environment that blends and balances the best elements of home, school, and community life together? 6. What messages does this space communicate? 7. How does the space encourage extended learning? 8. How many different ways does our environment communicate comfort and beauty? 9. How many different ways does our environment awaken ones senses (i.e. Pleasant smells, variety of different textures to touch and hold, variety of different sounds to hear and make)? 10. Do we feel nourished when we are in our space? 11. What are all the wonderful experiences we want to offer our children? 12. What possibilities are provided through materials offered? 13. Children are the best evaluators and most sensitive judges of the values and usefulness of creativity. When the atelier as well as our school environments are continually developed and are used in purposeful ways, they transform our everyday life in school into a living manifestation of the richness of childrens potential - Loris Malaguzzi 14. Creativity is Contagious! Please enjoy some of the special spaces within our school 15. Entrance and Plaza spaces 16. Infant Spaces 17. Toddler spaces 18. Preschool spaces 19. Contribution of materials to the space 20. To understand the principles of designing beautiful classroom spaces, search for what inspires and excites you. ~ Inspiring Spaces for Young Children 21. Every environment implies a set of values or beliefs about the people who use the space and the activities that take place there. ~Designs for Living and Learning 22. Reggio environments deliberately reflect the programs values and beliefs about children, families, teachers, and the social construction of knowledge. ~Designs for Living and Learning 23. The environment is the most viable aspect of the work done in the schools by the protagonists. It conveys the message that this is the place where adults have thought about the quality and the instructive power of space. ~Lella Gandini 24. There is attention to detail everywhere in the color of the walls, the shape of the furniture, the arrangement of simple objects on shelves and tables. ~Lella Gandini 25. The educators of Reggio Emilia view the school as a living organism. A place of shared relationships among the children, the teachers, and the parents ~Loris Malaguzzi 26. The school produces for the adults, but above all for the children, a feeling of belonging in a world that is alive, welcoming and authentic. ~Loris Malaguzzi 27. FINITO