Preschool project applications inspired by Reggio Emilia approach: An action research

Reggio Emilia Approach is an educational philosophy started by Loris Malaguzzi at the Reggio Emilia City in Italy after the World War 2. Many studies have been made on this approach later and positive results have been obtained. There are many schools based on Reggio Approach in other countries. The need for this study was aroused as the number of the schools that apply Reggio Emilia approach is very limited in Turkey In this study Reggio inspired projects were conducted as a part of Turkish Preschool Education Curriculum. As the research was about the processes of the projects inspired by this approach, It was designed as an action research which is a qualitative reseach pattern. The study group of the research consisted of 12 students which were studying at Eskişehir Seçil Akkurt Kindergarden. Data was collected with personal information sheet, research diary, videos and photographs and semi- structured interviews. Data was analyzed with descriptive analysis. The results showed that children started and attended projects inspired by Reggio approach. Many objectives of Turkish Preschool Curriculum was met in a short time. Parents, School Teachers and Administrator of the school have pozitive ideas about the projects. Keywords: Preschool education, project applications, Reggio Emilia