It was a day in the spring of 1945, six days after the end of WWII. In a small village near the northern Italian town of Reggio Emilia, women were intent upon salvaging and washing pieces of brick from bombed houses and bringing loads of sand from the river. They had sold an abandoned war tank, a few trucks and some horses left behind by the retreating German army. Land had been donated by a local farmer and volunteers were prepared to build a school for young children, a school where parents would be involved in their child’s education and that education would be based on respect for the individuality of children. When asked about money to run the school, they replied, "We will find it."

Nearly sixty years later, the same question was asked, and the reply from the Kazoo School community was very similar. Kazoo School Preschool was created from the vision and desire of the Kazoo School community. Many items were donated: our entire library of books, a larger indoor play structure, our puppet theater, a creative play kitchen, bikes, scooters, and the list goes on and on. Endless fundraising projects and hours of physical labor headed by parents made our outdoor play structure become a reality in less than a year!

"We will find it."
In only its fourth year of operation, Kazoo School Preschool has full enrollment along with a waiting list.

The philosophy of the Reggio Emilia approach, which the preschool practices is consistent with the Kazoo School mission and beliefs. It is based on the principles of progressive education (child centered and developmentally appropriate), an emergent curriculum (one that builds on the interests of children), themes and project work (both long and short-term), representational development (schooling for multiple intelligences), and collaboration (children dialogue, critique, compare, hypothesize and problem solve through group work).

Nature and environmental awareness are also important aspects of the preschool program. With our backyard being Kleinstuck Preserve, we are fortunate to experience nature up close. In the woods children gain a keen awareness of their senses. We hike in the woods often, paying close attention to all that we see, hear, touch and smell. Then we bring nature into the classroom. We verbalize and write about our wonder, knowledge and imagination. The children draw what they see in the world and in their minds, and we create through the powerful language of painting and sculpture. And every preschooler’s little hands and great mind is given a voice in our projects.

Finally, through peace education, (based on a philosophy that teaches love, compassion, trust, fairness, cooperation and reverence for the human family and life on our planet), our preschoolers are learning the value of community, respect and competence.

• Small class size allows each child to receive careful attention by dedicated and nurturing teachers.
• Children are involved in active learning experiences: making, doing, and creating.
• Children spend their time cooperatively playing and learning with other children.
• Daily activity emanates from a comprehensive but flexible schedule.
• Curriculum is adapted to meet the needs of individual children. We recognize and honor that children's backgrounds and experiences mean that they do not learn the same things at the same time in the same way.