Summary
Highlights
Following World War II, the town of Reggio Emilia developed a new educational model led by teacher Loris Malaguzzi. The goal was to foster a love for discovery, individual personality, and respect for others by emphasizing real-life experiences over fixed curricula.
The Reggio Emilia approach views children as full of potential, with innate curiosity and endless imagination. They are seen as creative, capable of constructing their own learning, and naturally interested in exploration and connection with others. Adults nurture this by providing supportive, rich environments.
Instead of a rigid curriculum, Reggio Emilia uses a child-centered and project-based approach. Projects can emerge at any time, often during play. Teachers observe and create opportunities for new learning by setting up environments, asking thought-provoking questions, or inviting collaboration. Children independently progress on projects, becoming researchers, risk-takers, designers, and explorers.
To promote creativity, teachers allow for mistakes and conflicts. These conflicts help children develop social skills by learning to speak, listen, argue, discuss, and respect different opinions, fostering teamwork and problem-solving.
Teachers document projects through various means like pictures, videos, and written observations. This documentation makes learning visible through photographs, drawings, sculptures, and transcripts of conversations displayed on walls. This allows children to revisit their achievements, understand that failure is part of progress, and build confidence.
Teachers act as companions, guiding children's discovery without taking over the constructive learning process. Malaguzzi believed children have '100 languages' to express themselves, including painting, sculpting, building, playing, and singing. Play is considered the highest form of research.
The environment is considered the 'third teacher,' designed to spark curiosity, creation, and discovery. Spaces often include open kitchens and large windows, akin to an Italian piazza, allowing children to observe and connect with the outside world.
Parents are an integral part of this education. They are encouraged to learn from and with teachers and children to deepen their understanding of child-centered education, ensuring children continue to be researchers, risk-takers, and explorers at home.
Malaguzzi's quote emphasizes giving space to learners and observing them carefully to transform teaching. The hope is that today's young researchers and explorers will grow into future inventors and great explorers.