BETHEL — Laurie Bailey brought her children up with the belief that they know what they want to learn and how to go about doing it. It was her philosophy.

Then about four years ago, Bailey, who has been active in early-childhood education for 18 years, attended a conference on a nontraditional prekindergarten philosophy known as Reggio Emilia. It is an educational philosophy started in Italy that allows children to explore and discover in a supportive environment.

“It matched what I already believed. Children had it inside of them what they needed to learn,” she said Tuesday afternoon from her roomy, many-themed and child-decorated Early Minds pre-K school in the basement of Ordway Hall on the Gould Academy campus.

Prior to that conference at the Breakwater School in Portland, she ran her pre-K school from what was in her heart. Now, she has discovered that she is not the only pre-K leader who believes children can learn through play, artwork, clay, music, drama, movement and myriad other ways.

“Children’s play is their work. Many feel that is too nebulous. We try to quantify how children show us their understanding or learning or ideas,” she said.

Each morning, she or one of her five part-time staff, place a “provocation” in the center of the floor and let the children decide what they want to do with it.

For example, she has a mirrored tray with a dozen or so turquoise and clear glass stones.

Some children will alternate them. Others will use them to shape designs. Others may stack them or build a structure with them. One may hold the mirror up and see light refraction or distortion.

From each “provocation,” learning may grow.

“They build on it. We gather in the morning and talk about their ideas of what they want to do,” Bailey said.

She believes the Reggio Emilia philosophy is almost the opposite of the multitude of standardized tests many youngsters must take.

“Standardized testing all but obliterates the ability to encourage creative thinking,” Bailey said.

“We’re saying you can handle this,” Meg Stevens, one of the staffers, said. “When I watch them, I find I learn a lot.”

Reggio Emilia is the name of a city in northern Italy where the philosophy was started by Loris Malaguzi in the 1940s.

It has been adopted in many areas, including several sites in Maine.

“We’re not filling them up as if they are empty vessels. They are building a foundation of knowledge,” Bailey said. “We’re helping them to develop problem-solving skills. Play isn’t just random or willy-nilly, it’s intentional.”

Conversations are equally important, Stevens said. A session involving dozens of beads was one example. Children learn to share the beads to create their own designs and to collaborate with each other so they each will have the number of beads they want to create a design.

Another staffer, Jeannine Towle, believes the everyday process involved in Reggio Emilia teaches self-confidence.

The children aren’t afraid to make mistakes or to rethink their own ideas, Bailey said.

Teachers don’t teach so much as they guide a child’s curiosity, provide encouragement and pose questions for the child.

A child’s progress is documented through artwork and photos and other examples. And every month, parents meet with staff to get to know each other and to discuss their hopes and dreams for their children.

Bailey said she periodically consults with Laura Friedman, and other early-childhood professionals in the Portland area.

“Children enjoy their curiosity,” Bailey said.

The prekindergarten program is open from September through June and is available to any family in the area.

eadams@sunjournal.com