Blending Movement and Mind: Fusing Arts Integration with the Reggio Emilia Approach
They tell the child:
to think without hands
Loris Malaguzzi (translated by Lella Gandini)
Alley Theatre’s Staging STEM (+) is transforming learning through a groundbreaking partnership with The WIDE School, blending the inquiry-based, student-led approach of Reggio Emilia with the dynamic arts integration of Staging STEM (+) in extended 10-week residencies in four age groups.
Staging STEM (+) seamlessly incorporates theatrical tools into core subjects like English Language Arts, literacy, social studies, science, and math, offering a flexible, customizable curriculum that fosters deep engagement and meaningful learning.
For this partnership, Alley Theatre’s Primary Programs Co-Manager, Matthew Lawrence, tapped into his unique expertise as an actor, arts integration specialist, and Reggio Emilia practitioner to build a bridge between WIDE School and the Alley. The collaboration emphasizes the shared values of adaptability, storytelling, and collaborative discovery. Both approaches view learning as an exploratory journey where reflection and shared experiences fuel creativity and self-expression.
During the WIDE School’s uniquely designed Staging STEM (+) residencies, students explore the brain’s connection to the body through movement and emotion. Using “brain” as a springboard, they examine feelings, physical reactions, and nonverbal communication. The Brain Dance exercise, rooted in Reggio Emilia’s Hundred Languages philosophy, helped students embody thoughts and emotions through movement, deepening their self-awareness and expressive skills.
Bringing their imaginations to life, students used tableau work to create frozen pictures inspired by The Secret Pizza Party, capturing emotions and narratives without words. This activity strengthened body awareness and control through guided instruction and interactive play.
The journey continued as students crafted and performed original stories, answering thought-provoking questions about storytelling and performance. Engaging activities blended imagination with physical awareness, reinforcing connections between body, mind, and emotion.
Staging STEM (+) proves that learning extends beyond the desk—happening through movement, creativity, and expression. By helping students embody their ideas and share their stories, the program empowers young minds to explore, grow, and discover their creative potential.
