Spirituality and the Reggio-Emilia Approach at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

“The essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different.” - Mahatma Gandhi Religion is present in the thoughts of many members of our community at this time of year, but for different reasons. Each of us observes different holidays, celebrations, rituals and traditions. Our school is no different. Like a church, a school is not the building in which it is housed; it is the people, the community, that give it identity and purpose. The members of the community work together, believing in overarching principles, which enable us to reach our common goals. The Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is founded on the principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach which is founded on spiritual awareness, but not religion. Our school observes this aspect of the approach in many ways, chief among them the Image of the Child, but also through acceptance, respect and acknowledgement of all personal family viewpoints and beliefs. For this reason, the school, since its inception has made an intentional decision to celebrate the seasons not holidays. This does not mean anyone is censored or unable to practice their faith individually, but as a community we focus on nature and the traditions central to the times of the year. -emm