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From: Inclusion in Moscow <inclusio@moscow.com>
To: 'vision2020@moscow.com'
Subject: Children in our Community
Date: Saturday, January 31, 1998 2:50 PM
Dear Visionaries
On the comments from Gens and Guy Curtis's statement about this issue
being local, I'd like to see more discussion about education as well as
overall involvement of children in our community. Representative Trail has
asked me to give him more information on a method of education inspired by
the community Reggio Emilia in Italy. This method of instruction is
starting to get recognition here in the United States and has been featured
on both NPR and CNN. I have included two URL's that describe the approach
for anyone who is interested.
Since two restaurants have dried up here in Moscow, I am wondering if that
is not only because of more competition, but also because these two
restaurants were not family centered places to eat? When I want to eat
out, as a parent, I think of places I can to take my children. In Moscow,
I am often reduced to McDonald's. One thing that impresses most educators
and people who visit Reggio Italy is that there isn't a place in the
community where children are not welcome. It would be great to see some
downtown businesses be more kid/family friendly. The one business that
seems to thrive is Hodgins. They sell good quality developmental toys with
friendly educated staff. It's a pleasure to shop there. I would shop more
at other store downtown if I didn't have to continually follow my toddler
around making sure he isn't putting something in his mouth that he can
choke on or knock something off a shelf that is breakable. I carefully
control my environment at home to prevent these accidents. It would be
great to have business owners do the same. You might just get more of my
dollars if you do. Oh by the way grocery store owners, the "You break it,
You bought it rule," in my opinion doesn't apply to the impulse items you
put at toddlers level at the checkout stand. As I am busy unloading a cart
and paying for my groceries, if my toddler opens up a toy or candy, I say
that is lost money on your part. I have talked to several managers about
this only to have my requests go ignored. I say if you want to put those
items within reach of little people who have the least amount of control,
then that is your lost income.
Here are the URL's.
http://child.etsu-tn.edu/Center Web/Training/Reggio/Reggio.html
This is the transcript off the CNN Impact Web Site. The discussion on the
Reggio Approach is at the bottom. I have heard this discussed on NPR as
well, but I haven't had time to find it on their web site.
<<File: Transcripts.url>>
http://cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/9801/11/impc.00.html
Katrina Dasenbrock
katrinad@moscow.com
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