It has been a fortnight since the Royal Visit to Reggio Emila took place and interest on social media seems to be red hot searching on anything ‘Reggio’. Many are even suggesting that this could be the next trend in early childhood settings. Whilst we welcome any interest in this relational pedagogy, we would also caution restraint to those whose knowledge is gleaned from heavily curated images on social media.

For over thirty years, Sightlines Initiative has provided a conduit as the only UK network with Reggio Children to provide not only organised trips to the Study Visits in Reggio Emilia but the necessary support to those visitors and their settings when they return to the UK. The week in Reggio Emilia can be overwhelming and our organisation with its wealth of experience and expertise provides bespoke structured support for as long as is required to embed this relational pedagogy within the principles of practice of each setting. This does not happen overnight or within a term or two; change gradually takes place as educators grapple with the meaning behind difficult metaphor and language that is not immediately recognisable.

The Reggio Emilia approach in its various guises of relational, creative and reflective practice can be seen daily on social media, especially from prominent individuals who have built very successful businesses, but even they took their first tentative steps into the pedagogy with the support of Sightlines Initiative!

If you are interested in learning about creating a relational pedagogy within your setting, then please go to our website:

www.sightlines-inititative.com   

where you will find a wealth of information and details of forthcoming events.

We have just nine spaces available on our workshop day ‘Engaging with Clay in Creative Early Childhood’ to be held at Sydenham Primary School Leamington Spa on Saturday 13 th June.

Booking form and more details on the website. (I am reliably informed there is a direct train to Leamington Spa from London! )