The Structure of Expression-centered Project Activities in the Reggio Emilia Approach

A Practical Case of “the Sound System / Voices of Things” Targeting Children Aged 4-5

Abstract

  The purpose of this study is to elucidate how the practice of “the Sound System / Voices of Things” - a project activity employing the Reggio Emilia Approach with the main focus on expressions used by children aged 4-5 - is structured. This paper first looks into how the project activity, “the Sound System / Voices of Things,” is positioned within the Reggio Emilia Approach. Then, it interprets the practice through the viewpoint of “interaction between children and materials.” Finally, the paper comes to a conclusion about how the project activity is structured, considering its characteristics and challenges.

  The fundamental philosophy of the Reggio Emilia Approach is that sensory experiences obtained through interactions with materials form the basis for children's multisensory development. The practice of “the Sound System / Voices of Things” project, which is the means to realize this philosophy, employs strings as the material. The “sensory exploration” through interactions with string sounds was incorporated into the “constructive activity” of making an instrument featuring strings as the material. In observing the development, the study considered the “strings” to form the core of the project structure. At the same time, in seeing the project structure from the aspect of expressive activities centering on children's inner image as the core, it notes the lack of viewpoint. This enables the continuance of the image formed within the children's minds as a challenge. The paper suggests that the continuation in children's experience, both in materials and images, forms the key to the development of expressive project activities.