Wilson College Online Blog

Quality early childhood education sets the stage for all learning to come. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has noted, early childhood education can:

• Strengthen children’s cognitive skills, which can improve the chances of success in their future education

• Drive children’s social and emotional development, which can reduce behavioral issues and enable them to work well with others throughout their education

• Improve the chances of educational success for children who are from low-income families and children who are dual language learners

Part of providing quality early childhood education is knowing about the options that educators can use to teach young children. One of those options is the Reggio Emilia approach. Those who are not familiar with that approach may have some questions. What is the Reggio Emilia approach, how does it work, and how can it benefit children? 

Anyone considering enrollment in a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education can benefit from exploring the answers to those questions and learning how educators use the Reggio Emilia approach.

Reggio Emilia Defined

The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education originated in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia in the aftermath of World War II. The citizens of the city had a desire to develop a new approach to children’s education as part of the overall process of rebuilding after the war. Since then, the Reggio Emilia approach has continued to develop, but it still retains its core focus on areas such as young children’s educational environment and the rights of young children.

Main Principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach

Primarily geared toward preschoolers, the Reggio Emilia approach places importance on several guiding principles. Specifically, the Reggio Emilia approach is focused on concepts such as:

• The educational environment is critical to children’s learning.

• Children build their own learning.

• Children serve as collaborators with educators, parents, and others.

• Children’s communication is critical, and it is important to encourage children to communicate.

• Educators and parents have a shared responsibility to serve as partners in children’s education.

• Creating documentation showing evidence of learning is an important part of education.

Another important aspect of the Reggio Emilia approach is its recognition that children use several kinds of language to communicate and learn. For example, in addition to speech, children use art, dance, songs, music, and laughter to communicate and understand their world.

What You May Observe in a Reggio Emilia Classroom

Classrooms devoted to the Reggio Emilia method do not have a rigid curriculum. Instead, individual children get to focus on the things that interest them. The classroom environment contains extensive materials that can help children express themselves in all the ways they can communicate.

Teachers’ roles in Reggio Emilia classrooms center on serving as facilitators. If children’s interests lean toward learning numbers and letters, then teachers help children in that learning. Other children may focus on music or dancing, and their teachers will guide them in those efforts. Enabling children to find unique approaches to learning can build their self-confidence and encourage their interest in education.

Reggio Emilia classrooms display documentation of the projects that children complete throughout their education. This documentation is important because it is visible evidence of learning and can help parents and teachers evaluate children’s education.

Pros and Cons of the Reggio Emilia Approach

In defining the Reggio Emilia approach, it’s important to note the advantages and disadvantages that accompany this method of instruction. Examples of the advantages and disadvantages are outlined below.

Advantages of the Reggio Emilia Approach

When the Reggio Emilia approach guides education, it has the potential to:

• Encourage children to become active learners

• Strengthen children’s problem-solving skills

• Instill children with a sense of pride

• Promote children’s creativity

• Improve children’s ability to collaborate

Disadvantages of the Reggio Emilia Approach

While it has potential advantages, the Reggio Emilia approach has potential disadvantages. For example, it:

• May not be best for children who thrive in more structured environments

• Can make it difficult to track children’s progress on projects

• Requires teachers who are very observant and who have strong skills in facilitating learning

• Can make it difficult to observe the net results of learning 

• Can result in children who are in the same classroom learning on different time schedules thus making education appear disorganized

Reggio Emilia: What Teachers Need to Know

Individuals who are already working as teachers or who are considering making a career change into teaching can benefit from understanding what the Reggio Emilia approach is and how to incorporate its elements into education.

• Teachers can consider weaving children’s many languages into their instruction. Incorporating music, dance, art, and children’s languages into daily instruction can give children more avenues for approaching their education.

• Teachers can consider the importance that the Reggio Emilia approach places on the learning environment when designing their classrooms. Viewing classrooms objectively and assessing whether they encourage children to feel that they’re understood and that classrooms are welcoming can help teachers create spaces that better facilitate learning.

• Teachers can give thought to using learning environments that are outside of the classroom. As they consider the importance of children’s learning environments, teachers can also consider outside instruction or field trips as avenues for expanding children’s learning environments.

• Teachers can enhance their approaches to making parents partners in their children’s education. Teachers can regularly email parents to inform them about the subjects their children are studying so that parents can extend their children’s education on those subjects at home.

• Teachers can incorporate group projects into learning. Giving children the opportunity to work on group projects can spur their creativity, improve their communication with others, and strengthen their ability to collaborate.

Learning How to Enhance the Effectiveness of Instruction

Knowing what the Reggio Emilia approach is and incorporating its elements into instruction can help teachers improve their students’ educational experience. When implemented well, the Reggio Emilia approach has the potential to help children get the most out of their education.

Individuals who are interested in studying early childhood education can explore Wilson College Online’s Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education degree program to learn how it can help them achieve their career goals. Instructing students in the latest teaching strategies and classroom practices that are backed by research, the program can prepare individuals for rewarding careers in early childhood education. Start reaching your educational goals today.

Recommended Readings

Benefits of Experiential Learning

What Are the 4 Types of Learning Styles?

What Can You Do With an Early Childhood Education Degree?

Sources:

Brightwheel, Implementing the Reggio Emilia Approach to Enhance Learning in Early Childhood

Edutopia, “Designing Your Pre-K Classroom for Deeper Learning”

Edutopia, “Using the Reggio Emilia ‘Image of the Child’ in Your Classroom”

Kinnu, Reggio Emilia

North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, General FAQs

Parents, “What to Know About the Reggio Emilia Approach”

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Children’s Learning and Development Benefits from High-Quality Early Care and Education: A Summary of the Evidence”