Exploring Early Years Learning: Reggio Emilia and Atelier Centre at Keystone

At Keystone International School, ranked among the most innovative schools in India, the Early Years Atelier nurtures a creative space where children explore, experiment, and express themselves. The Reggio Emilia approach at Keystone serves as a natural extension of the Idea-Loom framework, nurturing curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills from the very beginning. For parents searching for a progressive preschool in Hyderabad, this approach offers a space where children construct knowledge through play, inquiry, and reflection.

Central to this learning is the practice of loose parts play. Children engage with natural materials like twigs, leaves, and stones, recycled objects such as buttons, bottle caps, and corks, and art materials including wire, yarn, and clay, not as toys, but as open-ended tools for thinking, designing, and creating. Over time, these experiences help develop critical problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, language growth, and fine motor abilities. Learning becomes less about following instructions and more about discovering  endless possibilities in everyday materials.

Some recent Atelier experiences highlight the outcomes of this approach:

In a community-building activity, learners used various materials to create pathways, houses, and shared spaces, developing spatial awareness and collaborative thinking.

At the Mud Kitchen, children blended soil, water, leaves, and stones to “cook,” role-play, and narrate stories, encouraging imaginative thinking, social interaction, and symbolic expression.

During an insectarium inquiry, learners observed insects, documented findings in journals, and created bug-inspired art using loose parts, demonstrating curiosity, observation skills, and creative representation.

“Nothing gives learners a greater sense of power than being in control of the materials they are using. Because loose parts are open-ended, learners can make choices and decisions about how to use them and learning to choose well is a part of social-emotional development.” — The Hundred Languages of Children

These experiences reflect the principles from The Hundred Languages of Children, emphasizing that children have multiple ways to express ideas, think critically, and construct knowledge. Open-ended materials encourage independence, confidence, and early creative development, balanced with literacy and numeracy foundations. While children explore creatively, their academic skills in literacy and numeracy also grow steadily, ensuring a well-rounded early learning experience.

For parents, observing how children navigate open-ended play can offer insights into their interests, strengths, and problem-solving strategies. Simple at-home activities such as nature walks, creative crafts, or everyday household experiments can extend Atelier learning beyond the classroom, inspiring a love for discovery.

Through Reggio Emilia and Atelier-based play, our little learners explore, create, and solve problems while building strong literacy and numeracy skills. Curious to learn more? Discover how Keystone’s preschool program in Hyderabad nurtures curiosity and lifelong learning.