The Reggio Emilia Approach
The Reggio Emilia approach is a method of alternative education for children. This educational philosophy is based on the idea that real learning should be child centered and directed. This requires a safe environment for a child’s innate curiosity and potential to propel them to discover and interact with the world around them. This leads to a lifelong love of learning. Reggio is child centered and directed where the teachers, parents, and the classrooms are partners and co-learners in the education process.
This play-based learning model views students as strong, capable, and driven learners.
In this post, we’ll dive into the history of the Reggio Emilia approach, its core principles, how Weaver Child Development Center executes it in the classroom, and the benefits you’ll see from enrolling your child.
The History of Reggio Emilia
The Reggio Emilia philosophy began as a reaction to the end of World War II as a hope for renewal. In the town of Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy, parents were looking to reopen schools and later wanted a new kind of early childhood education that empowered children and rejected traditional, authoritarian teaching models.
In 1963, a preschool called The Robin Crusoe was opened in the municipality, thanks to parents pooling their resources to build a new school from the rubble. It was then that local psychologist and pedagogist, Loris Malaguzzi was asked to collaborate. Malaguzzi became the heart of the movement. He believed that children are strong, capable, and full of potential, and should be supported with collaboration and in-community relationships. These beliefs shaped the way Malaguzzi and the educators in Reggio Emilia taught children. Over the decades, this blossomed into an alternative education approach rooted in constructivist and social-constructivist theory: That child-led learning, collaboration, and community are the most effective teachers.
The Reggio Emilia approach gained international attention from a 1991 Newsweek magazine article. In the article, a Reggio Emilia preschool was listed as one of the ten best schools in the world. After Malaguzzi’s sudden passing in 1994, Reggio Children was founded. They shepherd the Reggio Emilia philosophy and its application in early childhood education, which continues to inspire schools and educators worldwide.
The 11 Core Principles of Reggio Inspired Learning
“To make a lovable school, industrious, inventive, liveable, documentable and communicable, a place of research, learning, re-cognition and reflection, where children, teachers and families feel well – is our point of arrival.”
1. Children are active protagonists in their growing processes
Children are gifted with the potential for learning that is shaped by their interactions. They take an active role in their own growth by asking questions and making choices about their own learning.
2. The 100 Languages of Children
Malaguzzi believed that children communicated in a hundred different ways. Not just by speaking but non-verbally as well. It is a metaphor for the many ways children have to learn, grow, and interact with the world.
3. Participation
Children, teachers, families, the classroom, and the community all contribute to true learning. Connection and collaboration build inclusion, responsibility, and care for one another. It is lived in all our interactions every day.
4. Learning is a process of construction, subjective and in groups
Children learn both on their own and in groups. Learning is active, done through play, exploring, questioning, and discussions.
5. Educational Research
Research is an important part of every day for both children and teachers. Together they can ask questions, try new things, and be co-learners. Teachers too are researching how children learn and develop their own practice, which keeps teaching fresh and innovative.
6. Educational documentation
Teachers take care to document all the children’s work, with photos, notes, recordings, and displays. It showcases the learning process and turns it into a shared legacy of the school.
7. Designing (Progettazione)
While still preparing students to meet core subject requirements, our classrooms aren’t restricted by a rigid, pre-made curriculum. Planning is flexible and collaborative, based on the children’s interests, the environment, and shared goals.
8. Organization
How the school day is structured and the way classrooms are set up creates stability for childhood learning. This sense of belonging is established with clear roles, strong teams, and conditions that support learning.
9. Environment and spaces
The physical classroom is often referred to as the “third teacher.” Indoor and outdoor spaces support well-being, safety, and a love for learning. Everything is chosen with care, from furniture to materials, to encourage play-based learning, exploration, and opportunities for teachable encounters.
10. Professional growth and formation
Professional development is built into our work and is done together as a team. This can be found in meetings between the staff, in the city’s resources, and in continuing education training. Teachers are learners too!
11. Evaluation
Evaluation helps up reflect and improve as we learn. It involves getting feedback from other children, teachers, families, and our many communities. It commonly uses tools like documentation, family participation, and city collaboration.
The Reggio Emilia Approach at Weaver CDC
At Weaver CDC, our alternative school is deeply rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy. We believe every child holds great potential. Our symbol, the acorn, embodies this potential. Just like a tiny acorn holds the makings of a mighty oak, our kids are becoming exactly who they are meant to be – shaped by their relationships, their experiences, and the love poured into them. As they grow, they will reflect God’s purpose, each one uniquely crafted for something special.
Learning is a journey, not a race. Each child has a safe space to explore, discover, play, and grow. We designed our classrooms with this in mind! Every space is warm, inviting, and full of opportunities for learning, whether it’s through art, movement, storytelling, building, or scientific inquiry.
While our approach is child-centered, we also meet all Ohio Learning Standards. We integrate the core subjects of reading, math, science, social studies, and language arts into our play-based learning, projects, and explorations that are driven by the children’s interests. Teachers act as co-learners and careful observers, guiding students to ask “why”, make connections, and think critically.
A key part of our approach is supporting self-regulation. Self-regulation is the ability to manage emotions, behavior, and impulses. Our hope is that each child will learn this through careful guidance, love, respect, and consistency. This is done through direct teacher guidance and modeling. Self-regulation is essential for academic success and building strong relationships.
The Benefits You’ll See in Your Child with Reggio-Inspired Learning
Choosing an alternative school, built on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, means choosing an education that prepares your child for real life, not just taking tests. You’ll see your child build confidence, cultivate creativity, and develop their critical thinking. They will learn to work collaboratively, express themselves in a hundred ways, and approach any obstacle with resilience.
When you choose Weaver CDC, you’re choosing an alternative education that blends the best of the Reggio Emilia approach with a nurturing, faith-based environment.
If you think a Reggio-inspired environment is right for your family, contact us today to learn more about our alternative school!