Principles of our Reggio Emilia approach
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Children are seen as strong, capable, and full of potential, with a natural curiosity that drives their learning.
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Learning happens in many ways—through art, movement, play, storytelling, and more. Children express themselves in diverse and creative ways.
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Educators act as guides and collaborators, observing, listening, and supporting children’s exploration rather than simply providing answers.
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Classrooms are thoughtfully designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and collaboration, with natural materials, open-ended spaces, and documentation displays.
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Children engage in long-term, inquiry-based projects that emerge from their interests, encouraging deep thinking and problem-solving.
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Teachers document children’s work through photos, notes, and displays to make learning visible, reflect on progress, and engage families in the process.
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Learning is a shared experience between children, teachers, and families, fostering a strong sense of community and connection.
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Play is an essential part of learning, allowing children to explore, experiment, and make sense of the world in a joyful and meaningful way.
The Atelier and the Atelierista.
At Blossom Heights School, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, the Atelier is a vibrant, creative space where children explore, experiment, and express their ideas through various artistic and sensory materials. This studio serves as a hub for inquiry, imagination, and collaboration, encouraging children to communicate their thoughts in multiple ways—known as the "hundred languages" of children.
Guiding this exploration is our Atelierista, a dedicated artist-educator who works alongside students and teachers to integrate artistic expression into everyday learning. The Atelierista fosters curiosity, supports creative problem-solving, and helps children bring their ideas to life through mediums such as painting, sculpture, natural materials, and digital media. This unique role enriches the learning experience, reinforcing the deep connection between creativity and knowledge-building in our Reggio-inspired environment.
Mariana Madrigal Mendoza
Blossom Heights School Atelierista
Mariana’s journey with Blossom Heights Child Development Center began in 2012. After spending time back in her native Costa Rica, where she grew up playing outdoors with her sisters, she felt drawn to return because the center deeply resonated with her values and experiences.
She is passionate about the Reggio Emilia approach to learning, which emphasizes hands-on experiences, art, and reflection. Her professional development has been enriched through various trainings, including work with Bev Boss, and was further deepened through attending the NAREA Conference in 2023. She also had the privilege of visiting Reggio Emilia with Blossom Heights director Linda for a conference. There, she learned that the approach emphasizes intentionality, understanding community values, and building meaningful connections through art and hands-on experiences. These values centered around families, children, and teachers continue to shape her work at Blossom Heights School.
Holly Taussig
Pedagogy & Culture
Holly serves as the Director of Pedagogy and Culture at Blossom Heights School, where she guides the development of instructional practices and ensures a cohesive, mission-aligned school culture. With more than 15 years of involvement in Blossom Heights as an observer, teacher, and administrator, she brings a deep understanding of the school’s history and values. She designs and facilitates teacher trainings that strengthen the school’s contextual curriculum and support its ongoing evolution as a Reggio-inspired program. Her role focuses on aligning daily practice with the school’s long-term pedagogical vision.
