Brooklyn Schoolhouse

Brooklyn schoolhouse is founded on the conviction that children are strong, competent and capable learners. They have an innate desire to learn, and they have rich and multifarious resources for building understandings and making meaning. We believe that children learn best in a diverse community where their ideas and questions are respected, and where they are guided through the process of building meaningful understandings. We respect the power of children’s ideas and theories, and we thoughtfully guide their inquiries. Each curriculum piece emerges from the children’s interests and questions. As an emergent curriculum piece evolves children learn how to think creatively, investigate answers, experiment, and collaborate. When children learn how to build knowledge and skills in this way, they also learn to enjoy the exciting process of working towards accomplishing their goals; they learn to love learning. This kind of education builds collaboration skills and social responsibility, and fosters creativity and ingenuity. These are the skills that will help young people to be happy and successful in the world today. The Reggio Emilia Approach to education is the backbone of our philosophy and practice. We also have a strong connection with the Art of Teaching program at Sarah Lawrence College, and are inspired by the work of John Dewey and Jean Piaget.