Reggio Emilia Approach
So, what lies at the heart of this approach? Here are the most important points:
Children are Powerful and Valuable: In this philosophy, children are seen as individuals born with an innate desire to learn, curiosity, and potential. They are listened to, their ideas are taken seriously, and they are encouraged to be productive. This is the most striking point to me. We tend to focus on what children cannot do, don’t we? For example, if they cannot learn English, we immediately try to give them more lessons and more activities. In Reggio Emilia, however, the focus is on what the child can do. That area is enriched and diversified, thereby ensuring the child’s progress in all areas of development.
Peer Learning is Valuable: In this approach, children’s interaction and cooperation with each other is extremely important. Learning is seen as a social process, and the classroom environment is designed accordingly.
Children Have a “Hundred Languages”: In Reggio Emilia, it is believed that children have hundreds of ways to express themselves. Painting, music, dance, play, sculpture… All are means of expression. Therefore, activities are designed outside of standard patterns to encourage children to think and use different materials.
Teacher: The Guide in the Background
At first glance, teachers in Reggio Emilia classrooms may seem very calm, even as if they are “doing nothing.” However, this is quite misleading. In fact, the teacher’s role is much more challenging and thought-provoking than in traditional education.
The teacher is not an “informant” but a “guide.” They ask children questions, and when children ask questions, instead of answering them, they help them deepen their thinking with new questions. Their goal is to accompany the child on their journey of discovery.
For example, when a child studying plants asks, “How do seeds grow?”, the teacher encourages them to investigate by asking questions such as “How do you think it happens?” and “What do they need?” During this process, while the child and their friends develop projects related to seeds, the teacher observes them, supports them with questions, and witnesses their learning.
Classroom Environment: “The Third Teacher”
In Reggio Emilia, the physical environment is considered “the third teacher.” I had the opportunity to visit a school in Istanbul that adopted this approach. I must admit that within the first half hour, I was surprised by how “messy” it looked. The walls and floors were covered with children’s artwork! However, I soon realized how happy and freely the children were learning within this “creative chaos.”
Here is a typical Reggio Emilia environment:
Piazza (Town Square): This is a common area where all classrooms open up and everyone comes together. It is designed for children to interact with each other during breaks and for all students, big and small, to mingle.
Natural and Reflective Materials: Natural materials such as wood and glass predominate in the classrooms. Mirrors are found on the walls and even on the ceiling, allowing children to observe themselves and their surroundings from different angles and develop their imagination.
Workshop Atmosphere: These spaces are not called “classrooms” but “ateliers” (workshops). Instead of standard, single-purpose toys, they contain open-ended materials such as wooden pieces, natural materials, and recycled products.
Documentation: The walls are covered with photographs, drawings, and notes reflecting the children’s learning processes, projects, and products.
Expert Support: In addition to the classroom teacher, there are also different specialists, such as “graphic arts specialists.” These individuals guide children in expressing their ideas through art.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there no curriculum? This may be the most confusing point. In Reggio Emilia, there is no pre-prepared, fixed curriculum. The curriculum is shaped according to the children’s interests and curiosity. According to experts, exploring a topic in depth, branching out and expanding on it, already allows the child to learn many things in connection with each other.
How is it different from Montessori? Montessori is also a wonderful approach, but it relies on more individualized and structured materials. Reggio Emilia, on the other hand, is more flexible, project-based, and relies on group interaction. My personal opinion is that Reggio’s focus on curiosity makes it very appealing for today’s world.
Reggio Emilia at Home: Two Simple Activity Suggestions
Bringing this philosophy into your home is not as difficult as you might think. Here are two simple ideas you can try:
Nature Collection and Collage: Go on a nature walk. Take a bag or box with you. Together with your child, collect interesting natural materials such as leaves, branches, stones, or pinecones. When you return home, freely create collages on paper using these materials. You can create a tree, an animal, or an abstract composition.
Draw Nature: Place a collected leaf or branch on the table. Ask your child to try to draw it. This incredibly develops their observation skills.
Rest assured, children love these kinds of free and creative activities.
One Last Note
Perhaps you are currently working in a school with a fixed curriculum. You may not be able to create a full-fledged Reggio Emilia school. However, you can embrace its spirit, namely the principle of “following the child’s curiosity.” In your next activity, you can provide a real and lasting learning experience, far from rote memorization, by starting with something that interests the children and encouraging them to ask questions.
I hope this article helps you understand the Reggio Emilia approach and perhaps incorporate a part of it into your life.
