What is the Reggio Emilia Approach?
The Reggio Emilia Approach is founded on the belief that every child is inherently strong, capable, and resilient. It recognizes children as rich with wonder and knowledge, driven by an innate curiosity to understand themselves, their world, and their place within it. This philosophy celebrates the idea that children are not passive recipients of knowledge but active participants in their learning journey. Their natural curiosity propels them to seek answers, explore their environment, and form meaningful connections, making learning a dynamic, engaging process.
Reggio Emilia Approach schools, which originated in the 1940s in the town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, are rooted in this view of the child. The approach encourages classrooms that can consist of same-age or multi-age groups, with the central focus being community. Relationships among children, teachers, and parents are seen as foundational to a child’s growth. Classmates stay together for several years, fostering a deep sense of connection and continuity that supports social, emotional, and academic development.
The curriculum in Reggio Emilia schools is emergent, driven by the interests of the students. Teachers carefully observe the spontaneous questions and actions of the children and use these observations to guide the development of projects that reflect their curiosity. Children are encouraged to make mistakes, as these moments are viewed as valuable opportunities for learning and growth. In this environment, all participants—children, parents, and teachers—are seen as learners, with equal opportunities to shape and influence the learning process. Learning is documented in multiple ways, including through photographs, videos, and the words of the children themselves, allowing both teachers and parents to track progress and reflect on the children’s thinking. This documentation serves not only to assess progress, but also as a tool for children to see the value of their own learning and understand that their actions have meaning.
Creativity and artistic expression are integral to the Reggio Emilia Approach. Children are encouraged to express their thoughts, ideas, and emotions through various forms of art, including drawing, painting, sculpture, or dramatic play. This emphasis on creativity supports cognitive and emotional development, as children use art to explore abstract concepts and express complex feelings.
The learning environment itself plays a key role in the Reggio Emilia philosophy. Often referred to as the "third teacher," the environment is meticulously arranged to stimulate curiosity, foster communication, and promote collaborative learning. Classrooms are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, with natural materials, open spaces, and visible displays of children's work. This thoughtfully prepared environment invites children to engage with the materials around them, encourages social interaction, and provides a rich backdrop for exploration and discovery.
In Reggio Emilia-inspired classrooms, teachers are viewed as guides, facilitators, and advocates. They create a learning environment that is both inspiring and supportive, encouraging children to explore and take risks while providing them with the tools and guidance they need to succeed. Teachers also document and interpret children’s learning, acting as scribes to capture and reflect the learning process in real-time.
At our school, the Reggio Emilia philosophy comes to life through hands-on, project-based learning. The classroom is a place where natural exploration is encouraged, and new materials and concepts are introduced regularly. These experiences are designed to help children develop across the ten learning domains: social-emotional development, language and communication, reading, writing, math, science, social studies, physical development (gross and fine motor), fine arts, and engineering/problem solving.
Each month brings new opportunities for creative expression, helping children deepen their understanding of the world around them while developing skills that will support lifelong learning.
Learn more about the Reggio Emilia Approach:
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