Reclaiming the Wonder of Learning

An in-depth encounter with Alessandra Braglia, Reggio Emilia pedagogista

with additional UK examples from Sightlines’ Network

Hosted by the National Education Union

"Ideas fly, bounce around, accumulate, rise up, fall apart slowly, or spread, until finally one of them takes a decisive hold; it flies higher and conquers the entire group of children.” Loris Malaguzzi: from 'Daily Life at School: Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary.' MLV p72

A dialogue day in which, with educators from Reggio Emilia,  we delve into the lived realities and discoveries of Reggio Emilia's Approach, with emphases on the qualities of ongoing research of the educators, group learning contexts and an environment of enquiry. The qualities of exchanging and exploring ideas together is a key component in Reggio's Approach to education.

Caterina , 5: "It's easier to share ideas with your friends, and you get new ideas. If someone doesn't understand something, the other person helps. It's better when the ideas are all different: a group is for learning other things, not the things you already know." (Making Learning Visible, p.328)
Equally for educators, the practice of regularly reflecting together is vital: "While the children are engaged in diverse work, their two educators find the time, limited but precious time, to go over the days’ experiences. If necessary, they revise their assessments based on the events of the preceding day, the children who are present, the interests expressed by the children that morning, and so on." (MLV p.72)

This day will be an unparallelled opportunity to engage directly with a  representative of Reggio who has such long-term and deep experience, and is ready to dialogue and debate in English. Be inspired by what is desirable and possible in early childhood education.

Reggio Emilia regards itself as 'a city of education.'  Since 1945 this experience has grown with parents, community, educators striving to grow and understand and prioritise, working closely together all the way.

In a period in the UK when educators and parents are finding a common voice to express what education should be like for their children, in a time when ‘policy’ is still at odds with these visions, it is a time to learn and act.

We will consider how the Reggiane experience can inform the efforts of UK educators and parents in creating intelligent education together.