A+ Children’s Academy is the first Reggio Emilia inspired school between Chicago and St. Louis. Reggio Emilia uses the visual arts as a medium to make learning visible for teachers and parents. The Academy employs such innovative features as a separate art studio, plus on site enrichment classes that children need to reach their full potential.

Sign language is taught as a second language with infants and toddlers. Michelle explains that “Infants are capable of communicating their needs thru sign language before they communicate verbally. This promotes communication, problem solving and research shows, higher IQs.” Spanish is the second language taught to 2 year olds through preschool. The Academy offers a range of additional on site enrichment classes including ballet, tumbling, additional Spanish and music.

The Reggio Approach to teaching was developed in Reggio Italy after WWII in a school built by parents and other townspeople. One of its fundamental principals is that children must be seen as capable individuals with tremendous potential. Michelle says “The Reggio Emilia Approach promotes a love for investigation and brings learning to life. At A+ Children’s Academy our curriculum promotes creativity through the visual arts, literacy skills, science, math, socialization and hands on learning. As a child investigates an interesting topic in smaller groups they will be problem solving, journaling, and exploring the world around them”.

Michelle has been educating children in the Peoria area for 18 years. She is a graduate of Bradley University with an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction. Michelle has been educating teachers throughout the state of Illinois for nine years. She is very proud of her new academy saying “I am committed to giving the children of A+ Children’s Academy the best early education possible to make them more than kindergarten ready”.

The AEYC is Illinois’ largest early childhood professional organization with over 4600 members. Since 1969, the organization’s volunteer members have successfully dedicated their time and efforts to improving the education and lives of young children in their own communities and throughout the state.

For information on the seminar or a tour of the Academy contact Nancy Weichmann at 691-2998.