2 Reggio Dudes

Scott and Grant discuss the use of role playing in teaching children with special needs social skills. Resource: Foundation Role Plays for Autism: Role Play for Working with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Parents, Peers, Teachers and Other Professionals By: Andrew Nelson (2010)

Scott and Grant discuss metacognition and how they teach and encourage children, teachers, and parents to focus on this important skill.

Scott and Grant discuss the Loris Malaguzzi quote: "The environment should act as an aquarium which reflects the ideas, ethics, attitudes and culture of the people who live in it."

Grant and Scott discuss the power of teaching children to ask "Why?" 

Scott and Grant speak about the importance of confidence in young children.

Grant and Scott discuss the challenges of yet another school year with COVID-19, transitioning back to the classroom and the roles that adults play in this process. 

Grant and Scott discuss some tips for working with children with ADHD. 

Grant and I discuss the transition to summer, the value of inclusion, and we lightly discuss the research with regard to Autism Spectrum Disorders and the judicial system. Thank you for listening and supporting our podcast. Scott and Grant

Grant and I discuss the basic instincts towards fight or flight and how we embrace this in the Reggio approach. Plus a funny story about me knocking myself out!

We talk about our activities that are "winners." Enjoy!

Grant and Scott discuss validation vs. enabling children.

Grant and I discuss teaching your children activities of daily life (ADLs) and also peripheral skills that are important to independence in the Summer season. www.awakeneducationllc.com 

Grant and Scott discuss their inclusive social skills programs Superheroes Club and Outdoor Explorers.

In this short one we talk about the virtual learning experience, and the teaching roles in which parents have found themselves. Music: Blockhead - Remember Sundays

Grant and I speak about teaching kids to anticipate the "what ifs" of life. We also talk a bit about future technology for augmentative communication for people who are non-verbal.  www.awakeneducationllc.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9xwnJk77UUq4pTV7iSVt3w Music: Eddy Mugre - Mala Mano

Scott and Grant speak about the potential for growth through pain in the life experience.  Music: Blockhead - Life Support

Grant and I speak about inclusion across the board. It's all about unconditional love.  Ram Dass on love "Unconditional love really exists in each of us. It is part of our deep inner being. It is not so much an active emotion as a state of being. It's not 'I love you' for this or that reason, not 'I love you if you love me.' It's love for no reason, love without an object." "You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing. You don't have to do anything to earn it. Your shortcomings, your lack of self-esteem, physical perfection, or social and economic success—none of that matters. No one can take this love away from you, and it will always be here." Music: Blockhead - Gobsmacked

Grant and I briefly discuss the social/political events of the past week. We stress the importance of empathy, perspective-taking, and the ability to compromise, and what that looks like in a classroom and with your own children. Book: In My Heart By: Jo Witek Music: Sealegs - Run the Jewels

We spoke about the holidays and the need for connection in  COVID-19 times. Ways to connect in the classroom and as a parent. And Scott told stories about fish. Music: Aesop Rock - Drums on the Wheel

Loris Malaguzzi's poem 100 Languages. Music: Blockhead - UFOMG Blockhead - Play Dead

John Cleese said, He who laughs most, learns best. As quoted in Creating Emotionally Safe Schools: A Guide for Educators and Parents‎ (2001) by Jane Bluestein, p. 215 I'm struck by how laughter connects you with people. It's almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you're just howling with laughter. Laughter is a force for democracy. From The Human Face, BBC Television (2001) Music: Blockhead  - Weeping Willow

Grant and Scott discuss the power of consequences for children and students. Music: Blockhead - Frank Blockhead- By Myself Meeting

We discuss the power of imagination in the classroom and elsewhere. Fun conversation!  

Grant and Scott discuss the power of patience and its role in the Reggio classroom and across the board. Enjoy!

Scott and Grant speak about their journeys to becoming Reggio inspired educators.

Grant and Scott discuss teaching and raising young girls from the Reggio Emilia philosophy. 

Grant and Scott sit down and talk about their experiences working with children and young adults who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis. 

Denise Santos has a background in special education. She is a mother, teacher, actress, and all around badass. In this episode we discuss the Reggio Emilia philosophy, interacting with children in the classroom, and putting the ego away! We hope you enjoy! S & G

Grant Troutman and Scott Gross M.Ed. make up 2 Reggio Dudes.  Grant and Scott are early childhood educators with several years of experience working in a Reggio Emilia inspired private preschool. Both Scott and Grant have attended week-long studies in Reggio Emilia, Italy. They offer advice, attempt to inspire, and hopefully entertain parents and educators.  We will always keep our conversations real.

Jill Gross is a fashionista with unparalleled taste for fine clothing and elegance. She is also my Mom.