Barefoot Atelier’s Philosophy
Inspired by Reggio-Emilia & RIE Principles
Nurturing Wonder & A Love of Learning
The Core of Our Reggio Philosophy
At Barefoot Atelier, our Reggio Emilia philosophy begins with a simple belief: children are capable, competent, and full of potential. Alongside the RIE® (Resources for Infant Educarers) and Pikler approaches, we view children as active participants in their own learning journey rather than passive recipients of information.
We believe children possess an enormous capacity for curiosity, wonder, creativity, and problem-solving. From the earliest years, children strive to understand the world around them, constructing their own theories and ideas through exploration, relationships, and direct experiences. Knowledge is not something that is simply given to children—it is something they actively build through meaningful interactions with people, materials, nature, and their environment.
The Image of the Child
We see children as little researchers. They are thinkers, communicators, creators, and collaborators. They have their own ideas, emotions, questions, and ways of expressing themselves. Children communicate through what the educators of Reggio Emilia call “The Hundred Languages of Children”—through words, movement, art, music, construction, dramatic play, nature exploration, and countless other forms of expression.
At Barefoot Atelier, we honor these many languages by creating opportunities for children to express themselves authentically and to make their thinking visible.
A Pedagogy of Listening
Listening is at the heart of our practice. We believe learning begins when adults slow down, observe carefully, and genuinely listen to children. Through attentive observation and documentation, educators seek to understand children’s interests, theories, and perspectives.
Rather than directing every aspect of learning, we follow children’s curiosity and create opportunities for investigations to deepen over time. This process allows children to become partners in their own learning and empowers them to develop confidence in their thinking.
Learning Through Inquiry
Children learn best when they are engaged in meaningful experiences that emerge from their interests and questions. Our curriculum is not predetermined by themes or worksheets. Instead, it evolves through ongoing observation, conversation, and inquiry.
At Barefoot Atelier, time is not driven by the clock alone but by children’s engagement and learning. We believe children deserve sufficient time to explore, experiment, revisit, and extend their ideas. Learning is not rushed. A project may last a day, a week, or several months depending on the depth of children’s interest and investigation.
Through project work, children develop critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills while cultivating a lifelong love of learning.
The Environment as the Third Teacher
We believe the environment plays a vital role in children’s development. Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed to inspire exploration, independence, beauty, and connection.
Natural materials, open-ended resources, and carefully prepared spaces invite children to wonder, create, collaborate, and engage deeply with their surroundings. The environment reflects our belief that children deserve spaces that are welcoming, peaceful, and filled with possibilities.
Respectful Relationships
Strong relationships form the foundation of everything we do. As a RIE-inspired preschool, we draw on the principles of RIE and Pikler to build relationships rooted in trust, authenticity, and respect.
We believe children deserve:
By nurturing secure relationships, children develop confidence, resilience, empathy, and a strong sense of self.
Nature, Community, and Belonging
We believe children belong in nature and in community. Through outdoor exploration, gardening, field trips, community experiences, and meaningful relationships, children develop a sense of connection to the world around them.
We are committed to fostering a culture of childhood that celebrates diversity, kindness, cooperation, freedom of thought, and respect for all people.
Our Commitment
At Barefoot Atelier, we are more than a school—we are a West Los Angeles community of children, families, and educators learning alongside one another.
Together, we create an environment where children are free to wonder, explore, imagine, create, and grow. We honor childhood as a unique and valuable stage of life and strive to cultivate confident, compassionate, curious, and capable human beings who feel deeply connected to themselves, others, and the world around them.
At Barefoot Atelier, we believe children have a voice. Through their actions, words, play, and relationships, children tell us what they need from the adults and environments that surround them.
At Barefoot Atelier, we believe that raising children is a shared journey. Families, educators, and children thrive when they are part of a connected and supportive community.
What Families and Teachers Ask of Our School
- To create a warm, welcoming environment where relationships are valued and everyone feels seen, heard, and respected.
- To build a loving and supportive community rooted in trust, collaboration, and mutual care.
- To be active participants in children's learning and development.
- To develop meaningful partnerships based on open communication and shared purpose.
- To create new connections while nurturing existing relationships.
- To offer support, encouragement, and understanding without judgment.
- To embrace growth, change, and new possibilities with curiosity and compassion.
- To practice mindfulness, kindness, and thoughtfulness toward one another.
- To respect each person's unique experiences, perspectives, and journey.
- To listen deeply and communicate authentically.
- To live our values through our daily actions and interactions.
- To strive to be the best adults we can be for the children in our care.
- To nurture a sense of responsibility for one another, our community, and the earth.
- To create a culture of belonging where every child and family feels valued and connected.
What Children Ask of Our School
- To be supported by a culture of childhood that honors human dignity, freedom, respect, and belonging.
- To receive an education that nurtures thinking, feeling, imagination, creativity, and wonder.
- To enjoy a welcoming, loving, and competent environment where they can live, grow, play, discover, dream, and learn—a place they are excited to return to each day.
- To have their rights respected: the right to be heard, understood, and recognized as capable individuals with ideas, questions, hopes, and dreams.
- To be offered rich experiences and meaningful opportunities that encourage exploration, choice, discovery, and self-expression.
- To have their creative and innovative potential recognized and valued.
- To be given the time and space to think deeply, make decisions, solve problems, and construct meaning from their experiences.
- To develop independence, confidence, and a strong sense of self within caring and respectful relationships.
- To learn through play, inquiry, movement, nature, and authentic experiences that connect them to the world around them.
Our Reggio Practice
Mindfulness / Yoga
יוגה ומוּדָעוּת עצמית
In addition to scheduled classes with visiting yoga instructors, our teachers practice daily yoga, mindfulness, and breathing techniques with children. Developing a toolbox of mindful breathing and relaxation strategies can help young children’s social-emotional development in many ways. Daily morning meetings begin with breath control to help children come to a place of tranquility; ready to share and listen. The mindfulness skills learned in group settings are something we return to frequently.
Barefoot
הגן היחף
Our children walk around Barefoot there are many benefits to walking around connected to the ground. Some of the benefits of walking barefoot are; it develops a sense of body awareness and proprioception, develops a natural, healthy gait, strengthens the feet and body, healthy for cognitive development, improves safety, and provides a direct connection to our natural environment. Here is some more information on the benefits of being Barefoot;
Health Conscious
בריאות ותזונה
We believe that healthy eating habits start young, which is valued by our community. Together we work with our community in establishing these healthy habits. A child’s body needs good nutrition not just food. With a lot of thought and preparation we cook fresh lunch on site daily using vegetables and herbs from our garden. Snacks are prepared fresh daily. We serve Kosher food and a diet high in seasonal fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins.
Nature & Environment
טבע וסביבה
The context of our outdoor environment is designed with intention and purpose. The gardens are treated as their own atelier. Providing the children with rich hands on learning experiences. Early childhood is the time to plant the seeds of wonder. Allowing our children to explore and discover for themselves the marvels of nature. Positive values such as respect, empathy, and responsibility, are practiced daily through animal care. Through observation children learn about animal behavior, instincts and intelligence. Through animal experiences, the children become more curious, respectful and appreciative of living things. Our children are exposed to different aspects of nature daily and develop a sense of wonderment and appreciation for life on Earth.
Music & Movement
מוזיקה ותנועה
We love and appreciate music at Barefoot! The language of Music is an ongoing daily composition at Barefoot, and used as a gathering tool within our community. The children are exposed to many aspects of music such as literacy, rhythm, notation, and movement. Techniques such as call-and-response allow children to engage in musical conversation and improvisation, building communication skills, and developing children’s confidence and individuality within the context of the social group. Not only does it ignite child development, but music helps the body, soul, and mind work together. “Music is a world within itself, it’s a language we all understand.”
Praise From Parents
Admissions
Applications are provided upon request, after touring our preschool. We accept applications on a rolling basis. Children may start in the middle of the year, once they turn two-years old.
