image 2.svg

UNIVERSITY LIGGETT SCHOOL \ ACADEMICS 

\ ACADEMICS 

Reggio Emilia Inspired
Early Childhood Program

Advancing Wonder Since 1878

BUBBLES PREK

Empowering young learners:
A unique blend of Reggio Emilia and The Liggett Approach

University Liggett School’s Early Childhood Program uses the self-guided Reggio Emilia approach to learning. Our youngest students are encouraged to draw upon their innate curiosities and are empowered to ask questions and to independently and collaboratively explore their understanding of the world and their place within it.

We believe in fostering a rich learning environment that empowers young children to reach their full potential. By combining the strengths of Reggio Emilia and The Liggett Approach, we create a vibrant space where exploration, discovery, and collaboration thrive.

PreK Curious

The Reggio Emilia Approach: Cultivating Curiosity and Creativity

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our classrooms become "the third teacher," where the environment itself sparks curiosity and imagination.

  • We celebrate the diverse ways children express themselves. This includes exploration through music, movement, visual arts, and storytelling, alongside traditional language development.

  • Children are participants in their learning journey, engaging in open-ended projects that spark their curiosity and sense of wonder. Teachers guide their exploration and fostering critical thinking skills.

  • We document children's learning through photos, videos, and observations. This shared becomes a tool for reflection, communication, and collaboration between children, teachers, and families.

The Liggett Approach: Building skills and empowering voices

The Liggett Approach complements the Reggio Emilia philosophy by providing a framework for building critical skills and fostering student agency.

  • Our classrooms are designed to be student-centered, with teachers acting as guides and mentors. Student voices are valued, and their interests and passions are woven into the curriculum.

  • We believe in offering children opportunities to make choices, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement in their learning. This allows them to explore their interests and develop a sense of agency.

  • While we celebrate learning outcomes, we also emphasize process and individual growth. We provide a supportive environment where children can experiment, make mistakes, and learn from their experiences.

A synergistic approach to learning

By combining the Reggio Emilia and Liggett approaches, we cultivate a unique learning environment that is both nurturing and stimulating. This blend allows children to:

  • Develop strong foundational skills through engaging, hands-on activities.

  • Express themselves creatively through a variety of mediums.

  • Become collaborative learners who work together to solve problems and share ideas.

  • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through open-ended exploration.

  • Become confident and self-assured individuals who are eager to learn and explore the world around them.

More to Explore

Prekindergarten fun with Parachute in gym class

Children who thrive in our program are independent, socially and emotionally ready, curious, respectful, and kind. They are ready to be away from you for longer periods of time.

We accept applications for students that are or will be three years old no later than December 1. We give priority to applicants that are or will be three years old no later than September 1. All students must be fully toilet trained and able to communicate basic needs/wants to their teachers. 

Our admissions process is designed to assist you in determining if University Liggett School is a good fit for your child at this time. Please reach out with questions.

Students are greeted at their classroom door by one of their teachers and encouraged to independently put away their things and prepare for their day at school. Students have a soft opening to their day where they can enjoy open-ended classroom provocations. 

Our youngest learners travel to resource classes, including Physical Education, Art, Music, Library, or Yoga, early in the day to allow for uninterrupted class time after these resource classes conclude. Daily classroom routines consist of various activities like morning meetings, imaginative play, sensory activities, literacy work, math work, snack, outdoor recess, and inquiry-based project work.

 

 

For students enrolled in a full-day program, lunch is provided by the school and prepared fresh daily. Students enjoy lunch in their classroom with a teacher. After lunch, students prepare for an afternoon rest in a quiet and calm classroom environment with shades drawn, low lighting, and soft music. 

3 Year Old Program Options:

3 half days M/W/F: 8 - 11:30 a.m.

3 full days M/W/F: 8 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

5 half days: 8 - 11:30* a.m.

5 full days: 8 a.m. - 2:45* p.m.

4 Year Old Program Options:

5 half days: 8 - 11:30* a.m.

5 full days: 8 a.m. - 2:45* p.m.

*Lower School late start every Thursday. Classes begin at 9 a.m.

Aftercare is available for an hourly rate until 6 p.m.

We build upon children's natural curiosities through Project Work, starting in prekindergarten. Our students ask themselves what they already know about a topic; they conduct research to discover what more they want to know; and, finally, they demonstrate and share what they've learned.

A brilliant example of the Project Approach is our Early Childhood Program class' exploration of fabrics. Arising organically from students' interest in classroom scrap fabric, teachers led a discussion on "What do we know about fabrics?"

The class discovered that there was much more to the topic than clothing, alone. That simple act of questioning led to a wonderfully interwoven set of inquiries, discoveries and hands-on experiences that unfolded throughout the school year to deepen student connection with the topic and its place in their world.

Through the Fabric Project, our teachers integrated the subject matter in a variety of ways to bring about greater meaning and understanding including:

    • Identifying the numerous ways fabrics appear in our lives and asking students to bring in examples
    • Sorting, labeling and describing fabric samples for presentation
    • Engaging the students in textile art projects, including tie-dyeing and batik
    • Fine tuning small motor skills with weaving and sewing projects
    • Integrating physical education with the use of student-created dancing ribbons
    • Exploring the science of fabrics, as well as the different ways fabrics are used and valued around the globe

Peggy Dettlinger

Head of Lower School

Sheila Bracken

Sheila Bracken

Early Childhood Program Director

What is Reggio Emilia with Early Childhood Program teacher Summer Turfe?

Why I believe in Reggio Emilia with Early Childhood Program teacher Summer Turfe. 

We believe in the capability and the competency of children. 

2021, University Liggett School.
All Rights Reserved.

University Liggett School is a private Early Childhood through 12th grade college preparatory school in Metro Detroit that is nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum and arts and athletics offerings. 

1045 Cook Road,
Grosse Pointe Woods, Mi 48236

313-884-4444

313-884-1775

Non-Discrimination Statement

2021, University Liggett School. All Rights Reserved.

University Liggett School is a private preschool and kindergarten through 12th grade college preparatory school in Metro Detroit that is nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum and arts and athletics offerings.