Reggio Emilia is an educational philosophy and pedagogy that focuses on the natural development of children in relationship-driven environments. It was founded by Loris Malaguzzi, a teacher who collaborated with parents and citizens in the Italian town of Reggio Emilia after the Second World War. The approach is based on the idea that children have 100 languages to express themselves, and that they learn best through self-directed, experiential and collaborative activities. The role of the teacher is to observe, document, facilitate and co-construct the learning process with the children, based on their interests and needs. The role of the environment is to act as a third teacher, providing rich and stimulating resources and opportunities for exploration and discovery. The role of the parents is to participate actively in the educational project, sharing their knowledge, skills and perspectives with the children and the teachers.
Some of the main principles and values of the Reggio Emilia approach are:
– The image of the child as a subject of rights, with strong potentialities for development and learning.
– The importance of relationships among children, teachers, parents and the community.
– The recognition of the 100 languages of children, including verbal, artistic, musical, mathematical, scientific, etc.
– The emphasis on project-based learning, where children engage in in-depth investigations of topics that interest them.
– The documentation of children’s learning processes through various media, such as photographs, videos, transcripts, drawings, etc.
– The reflection and dialogue among teachers, children and parents on the meaning and value of their experiences.
The Reggio Emilia approach has become a reference point for early childhood education around the world, inspiring many educators and researchers to adopt its principles and practices. However, it is not a fixed or prescriptive model, but rather an ongoing experiment that evolves according to the context and culture of each setting.
References:
– Reggio Children – Reggio Emilia Approach. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2024 from https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/reggio-emilia-approach
– The Reggio Emilia approach to early years education – daynurseries.co.uk advice. (2024). Retrieved February 7, 2024 from https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/advice/the-reggio-emilia-approach-to-early-years-education
– Reggio Emilia approach – Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2024 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Emilia_approach
– O’Shea, A. (2020). The Reggio Emilia Preschool Philosophy. Verywell Family. Retrieved February 7, 2024 from https://www.verywellfamily.com/reggio-emilia-approach-2764968
– Guide To The Reggio Emilia Approach – Aussie Childcare Network. (2023). Retrieved February 7, 2024 from https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/articles/childcare-programming/guide-to-the-reggio-emilia-approach
