Reggio Emilia, Italy

Study tour to the world renowned preschools, infant toddler centres, and elementary schools.

The pedagogy of the schools of Reggio Emilia have been a strong influence on many early childhood programs throughout the world, including Canada.

General Overview

The pedagogy of the schools of Reggio Emilia have been a strong influence on many early childhood programs throughout the world, including Canada.

Study Group Program

Study groups meet at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre and have access to the Centre’s resources including the exhibition hall, the auditorium and meeting rooms, the atelier/workshop spaces, and the Centre for Documentation and Educational Research. The Study Group program includes:

• History of the Reggio Emilia educational project and projections toward the future
• Visits to preschools and infant-toddler centres of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia Istituzione
• Presentations/seminars by pedagogistas, teachers, and atelieristas on the values and principles of the Reggio philosophy
• Presentations of research projects carried out in the Reggio Emilia infant-toddler centres and preschools
• Topics including the image of the competent child; teachers as researchers; observation; interpretation and documentation; children with special rights; the role of the environment; the pedagogy of listening; material and the 100 languages of children; parents’ involvement in the life of the school; and Remida Recycling Centre for recycled materials
• Time and space to interact with other participants and Reggio educators on specific occasions when opportunities will be given to dialogue and exchange experiences and reflections
• Cultural encounters within the city of Reggio Emilia

The program gives visibility to the values of the philosophy through a combination of visits to schools, presentations, meetings, and exchanges of experiences. Large group sessions are balanced with smaller ones. These take the following forms:

Orientation session and plenary session

• Visitations to schools
• Presentations by Reggio educators
• Reflection groups
• Spontaneous or self-scheduled interest evening discussion groups – group size varies
• Dinners with friends for debriefing and sharing ideas
• Conversations with educators in schools – can be 1-on-1 or slightly larger (translators are present in each school to
  facilitate these exchanges)

The infant-toddler centres do not permit visitors while class is in session; therefore, visitation is usually in the early evening. Often parent representatives as well as educators are present. Study tour participants typically visit a preschool while class is in session. This visit consists of a meeting with some of the school’s educators to understand a little about the unique history and context of that school,
followed by about 1 1/2 hours of observation in the school. Then the group reconvenes for questions and discussion with the educators.

Study group schedules are ful days; typicaly the day begins at 8:30 and ends between 5:30-7:30 pm with a lunch break midday. Some evening options are scheduled as well.

Reggio Emilia Hotels

Reggio Study Tour Expression of Interest March 2020 (VRA)

VRA Reggio Study Tour 2020 Program

VRA Reggio Study Tour notes for AGM