Every child deserves a place to explore and grow, and every parent deserves peace of mind when choosing that place. If you’re exploring preschool options, you may find yourself sorting through endless program descriptions, teaching styles and classroom philosophies. At Children’s Discovery Center, we believe the right preschool should feel like an extension of your home.

Our Toledo-area child care centers’ unique curriculum centers your child to achieve their unique potential. We’re proud to follow the Reggio Emilia approach, a child-centered philosophy that goes beyond traditional models to celebrate each young learner’s natural curiosity and creativity.

How is Reggio Emilia different from traditional preschool education?

Reggio Emilia approach is an inspiring and research-backed philosophy that invites children to take an active role in their education. Its immersive teaching style offers students many unique opportunities.

Child-Led Exploration vs. Teacher-Directed Learning

In traditional preschool settings, teachers typically guide the curriculum, leading structured lessons that children are expected to follow. While this approach can offer consistency, it often limits flexibility and can overlook individual interests or learning styles.

In contrast, the Reggio Emilia approach views children as capable, curious learners who drive their educational journey. Teachers act as guides and co-learners, carefully observing students and designing projects based on their questions, interests and discoveries.

At CDC:

• Teachers observe and document children’s play to identify learning opportunities.
• Class projects evolve from student interests, whether it’s bugs, the ocean or outer space.
• Children can explore through multiple “languages” like art, science, movement and storytelling.

Environment as a Teacher

Many traditional preschools prioritize convenience and structure over design, often offering limited changes to the classroom layout or materials throughout the year.

In Reggio Emilia-inspired classrooms like ours, the environment is considered the “third teacher.” Each space is thoughtfully arranged to spark curiosity, foster collaboration and reflect children’s interests. From natural light and open-ended materials to cozy reading corners, our classrooms invite children to explore, create and connect.

At CDC:

• Materials are intentionally chosen to be open-ended and sensory-rich.
• Classrooms change throughout the year to reflect current projects and interests.
• Nature-inspired design elements create a calm, inviting atmosphere.

Projects Over Worksheets

Traditional preschool models often emphasize worksheets, repetition and memorization to prepare children for kindergarten.

At CDC, we take a different approach. Through the Reggio Emilia lens, we encourage in-depth projects that grow organically over time. These projects invite children to investigate real-world concepts, ask questions, test ideas and share what they’ve learned in a developmentally appropriate and engaging way.

At CDC:

• Projects like “Beneath Our Feet” allow children to explore the soil, bugs and plant life they encounter outside.
• Students are invited to document their learning through art.
• Our teachers support each child’s unique learning path through reflection and collaborative discussion.

Focus on Relationships

In many traditional programs, the teacher-child relationship is central, but there may be less emphasis on building strong peer and family connections.

Reggio Emilia centers value community. The child, teacher and parent are seen as partners in the learning journey. This collaborative mindset fosters mutual respect and helps children feel truly seen, heard and supported.

At CDC:

• Parents are invited to participate in projects and events.
• Teachers build strong, trusting relationships with each child and family.
• Children learn to work together, solve problems and express themselves in group settings.

Why does Reggio Emilia matter?

Choosing a preschool isn’t just about preparing your child for kindergarten; it’s about nurturing their love of learning, supporting their emotional development, and helping them become confident, compassionate thinkers.

At Children’s Discovery Center, our Reggio Emilia-inspired classrooms are designed to do just that. By fostering creativity, independence and community, we help your child grow in every way.

Discover the CDC Difference!

Curious about how this approach can benefit your family, we invite you to schedule a tour and experience the difference for yourself. Contact us today to learn more about our Reggio Emilia approach to learning, register your child and tour our facilities.