What is Reggio Emilia Approach?

Children are viewed as strong, competent, resourceful learners who actively participate in constructing knowledge.

Children express ideas through drawing, painting, sculpture, music, movement, storytelling, dramatic play, construction, writing, conversation, light, clay, and many other forms of expression.

Beautiful, organized learning environments with natural light and open-ended materials inspire exploration, creativity, collaboration, and discovery.

Meaningful relationships among children, educators, families, and the wider community form the foundation of learning.

Teachers observe, listen, document, ask thoughtful questions, and extend children’s thinking through meaningful investigations.

Learning grows from children’s interests, questions, and ideas. Teachers use careful observation and documentation to develop responsive, meaningful experiences.

Children investigate meaningful topics over time through research, experimentation, discussion, artistic expression, and reflection.

Photographs, observations, conversations, portfolios, and children’s work make learning visible, celebrate growth, and guide future learning.

Many Reggio-inspired schools include an atelier where children explore ideas using clay, paint, wire, light, recycled materials, natural objects, drawing, and construction.

Listening to children’s ideas and theories is central to building meaningful relationships and deeper understanding.

Nature is viewed as an extension of the classroom and inspires curiosity, environmental awareness, and scientific thinking.