what is the Reggio Emilia approach?
The Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education was notably founded by Loris Malaguzzi in the small northern Italian city of Reggio Emilia in the 1970’s. Over the past 50 years this holistic approach to early childhood education has inspired practitioners all over the world!
The 100 Languages of the Child is the primary belief of the Reggio Emilia approach, believing that each child has 100 languages in which to express themselves, whether it is verbally, physically, artistically, emotionally, cognitively and the list goes on and on. We as educators, caregivers, parents are there not to direct, insist, or tell… but to create opportunities (invitations) that allow the child to explore, wonder, create and discover. In terms of child development, this is what the child needs to learn and grow in all ways, for their optimal development.
Core concepts of the Reggio Emilia approach:
- the use of natural and repurposed materials – this philosophy came from an area where resources and money was scarce, so they used what they had
- the adult is a guide for childhood, not a director – we create purposeful invitations of play for the child to learn through play, for this is the natural way for children from infant+ to develop skills and to make sense of the world around them
- sensory experiences for all ages – inviting children to explore the world around them using their senses (see, touch, taste, smell, hear)
- observe –> document –> assess, NOT sit –> test –> score – each child develops at their own pace, we must observe children in their most natural and comfortable environment as possible to be able to determine where a child truly is developmentally
- connection through child centered caring and learning spaces, the environment of a home, school or classroom celebrates the child, reflects the child, embraces the child – for example, the atelier (studio) is an important central space in Reggio Emilia schools that supports and develops the children’s expressive language as part of the complex process of knowledge building
My go to book about Reggio Emilia is ‘The Hundred Languages of Children’ – it’s a must read for anyone interested in the Reggio Emilia approach!
