The Reggio Emilia Approach to Education

Origin and Philosophy

• Developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy, post-World War II.
• Led by Loris Malaguzzi, a teacher with a vision to reform education.
• Focused on preventing war recurrence through education.
• Emphasizes real-life experiences over a fixed curriculum.
• Aims for children to develop a love for discovery and respect for others.
• Community-supported: land, money, food, and skills provided for the first preschool.

Core Principles

• Image of a Child: Children are seen as full of potential, creativity, and curiosity.
• Child-Centered Approach: Focuses on child-led exploration and learning.
• Role of Adults: Adults provide a supportive and rich learning environment.
• Project-Based Learning: Learning projects emerge naturally, often from play.

Teaching and Learning Dynamics

• Projects are child-controlled and progress until completion for sharing.
• Children act as researchers, designers, and explorers.
• Encourage hypothesis-making, investigation, and experimentation.
• Learning is social, promoting teamwork and communication skills.

Role of Teachers

• Teachers act as companions, not traditional instructors.
• They provide resources and support without overtaking the learning process.
• Promote creativity by stepping back and allowing mistakes as learning opportunities.
• Document learning through photos, videos, and written observations.

The Environment

• The environment is considered a "third teacher."
• Spaces designed to inspire curiosity and discovery, such as open kitchens and large windows.
• Environment modeled after an Italian piazza for community observation.

Parental Involvement

• Parents are encouraged to engage with and support the child-centered approach.
• They learn alongside teachers to continue supporting explorative learning at home.

Malaguzzi's "100 Languages"

• Children express themselves in diverse ways: art, music, movement, and play.
• Play seen as a critical form of research and learning.

Global Influence

• The approach has spread worldwide, reaching millions of students and educators.
• Content available in over 25 languages to support learning by doing.

Call to Action

• Encouragement for teachers and explainers to contribute to developing educational content.
• Support available through donations on Patreon.