Reggio Study Week 2025

Reggio Emilia Study Week 2025

Sunday 16th March - Friday 21st March 2025

Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

A one-week study visit to learn about and be inspired by the world renowned educational approach of the preschools and infant toddler centres of Reggio Emilia. We will be sharing this week with a large group of colleagues from the Vancouver Reggio Association - this will be a great opportunity for discussions between UK and Canadian perspectives.

This course will explore the key principles underpinning the Reggio approach to early childhood education including:

• History and background
• Creativity and expressive languages of children
• the pedagogy of listening
• The environment as 'the third teacher'
• Parents as partners
• Democratic citizenship
• Children as the subjects of rights
• Children and educators as researchers
• Observation, interpretation, documentation
• Making learning visible
• Professional dialogue

You will receive our help and support before, during and after the study week.

Before - a simple booking process - you fill in the online application form, we confirm your place and keep you on track.  If you wish, we will book you a hotel room with one of our selected hotels (we've already negotiated a discounted bed and breakfast rate with them).  This also ensures you won't be alone as other group members will be staying in the same hotel as you.  Also, to make your travel as smooth as possible, we can arrange transfers both ways for you from Bologna airport to Reggio Emilia, dropping you off at one of our hotels on Saturday 15th March and Saturday 22nd March respectively (alternative times/locations may be arrangable in good time.)

We will email you a welcome pack which includes information about the Reggio Experience and the organisation of the infant and toddler preschools, plus suggested reading and viewing material so you get the most out of your week. Plus nearer to the time, a programme of the week, maps and other regional and pedagogical informantion.

Your setting may want to book a preliminary Zoom briefing session with a Sightlines consultant ahead of your visit, at a discounted delegates rate. We also recommend a guided preparation with your setting during the six months leading to the week, if you are planning this visit a part of strategic development.

During - Robin Duckett our MD will be in Reggio with the group for the duration of the week to help with any queries about getting around the town, participate in discussions and generally to ensure things are running smoothly. 

In addition to the programme presented by Reggio Children, we are planning to offer various cultural excursions  during the week for which you will be able to register seperately after you've registered. These may include castle tours, city and country walks, visits to artisan cheese and vinegar producers ...

We start the week on Sunday with group orientation meeting and meal on Sunday teatime, following an optional guided city tour.

We hold further discussion groups through the week, just for our delegates, to assist your reflections.

After - three months' free membership to Sightlines' Community - be part of exchanges with like-minded educators, plus  access to network resources ...

You'll also receive notes from the week, quotes, suggestions for your own next steps ...

The participation fee is £1,680.  This covers:

• Administration, advice and support before and during the week.
• Introductory Group Session Sunday 17th, including light meal.
• Hotel booking facilitation
• Guidance on developing your centre's practice
• Seminars, presentations, exhibits at the International Centre Loris Malaguzzi
• Visits to preschools and infant-toddler centres
• Bus transportation between schools (as necessary)
• UK discussion group opportunities
• Interpretation
• 5 lunches at the International Centre Monday - Friday
• Lectures, presentations, exhibitions at the Malaguzzi centre
• 3 months' membership to Sightlines Initiative's Community

Please note: The fee does not include flights, accommodation or subsistence. 

Participation

We welcome applications from anyone working in the field of early childhood education and wanting to learn about Reggio's approach. 

We encourage participation of pairs, teams or groups as well as individuals.  The group, including the Canadian contingent is planned as 200 maximum, with our allocation being 50.

Once you've booked your place you will automatically be sent an invoice, attached to your booking confirmation email.  We will then be in touch within 7 days with further information including reading material and how to book your accommodation with us.

Travel arrangements

You will need to book your own flights. We recommend you fly to Bologna Airport.  Alternatively you could fly into Milan or Parma and travel from there by train to Reggio Emilia.

We will offer the opportunity for group taxi connections between Bologna airport and our hotels, on Saturday 16th March, and for returns on Saturday 22nd March.

We advise that you are in Reggio Emilia by the eve of Saturday 16th March or lunchtime Sunday at the latest, as we will have an optional guided city walk on the Sunday afternoon, followed by a group meeting and light meal. We advise you leave your return travel until Saturday 22nd March, to avoid stress and rush. Of course you can also stay longer - the springtime weather in the Appenines is often lovely!

Accommodation

To facilitate your booking, we have reserved block bookings with selected hotels in Reggio Emilia: hotels chosen because of their amenities and also their location.  We like the group to be close so it's easier for us to meet up and keep in contact; it enhances group development. All our rooms include a buffet breakfast and wifi in the room rate. Once you've booked, Karen our administrator will be in touch with you about our accommodation options.

Venue

The event will take place at the purpose-built Loris Malaguzzi International centre on the outskirts of Reggio Emilia. This centre is within 15 minutes walking distance of our hotels.

More Information ...

Please ring us about anything in particular about preparation material and arranging for development work prior to the week itself (which we highly recommend, especially for settings anticipating systems development.)

For more information please contact Sightlines' office on 0191 261 7666 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..