What is Student-Driven Learning?

Topics: Reggio at Home 

Age Range: Preschool 

At KLA Schools, students learn by doing. Based on the Reggio Emilia Approach, KLA Schools employs a holistic, multisensory approach to learning and growth.

The Reggio Emilia approach supports children having some control over the direction of their learning. This is done through the experiences of touching, moving, seeing, listening, hearing, experimenting, and investigating. In doing so, children ultimately make sense of themselves and the wider world they inhabit.

Examples of student-driven learning


A Reggio Emilia classroom’s curriculum stems from the particular interests of the children. Academic skills are learned best when children are interested. For example, if a child is interested in dinosaurs, these are some ways that interest can drive their learning.

  • A math experience counting dinosaur figurines
  • Writing a story about dinosaurs
  • Reading a book about dinosaurs
  • A science experience about dinosaurs in the garden
  • Constructing a dinosaur out of clay or blocks
  • Digging for “dinosaur bones” in a sensory bin
  • Playing dinosaur veterinarian with a stuffed toy
  • Going on a dinosaur-themed scavenger hunt

You can enrich these activities at home by holding two-way conversations with your child about their activity and asking them open-ended questions. For example, if your child is doing dinosaur veterinarian pretend play, you can ask them, “How does the dinosaur feel?” or “What will you use your first-aid kit for?”

By providing experiences based on their interests, children are more likely to enjoy their time at school and more likely to learn the academic, social and emotional skills they need for life.