Reggio Emilia Approach1

Reggio Emilia Approach: Atelier The teaching strategies used in the Reggio Emilia Approach are quite different from the ones that are seen in the United States of America. To an American or any other person other than an Italian, these teaching strategies are quite revolutionary. However, to an Italian the child rearing strategies the Reggio Emilia school use are not very abstract because they mirror the culture and lifestyle of an Italian. A major aspect of the Reggio Emilia schools’ philosophy is founded on the idea of creativity, thus “all learning in the Reggio Emilia Schools has taken place through a strong emphasis on the expressive media of the arts” (Swann, 2008, p. 36). This philosophy has emerged from the human behavior in the region of Reggio Emilia, which is greatly influenced by the art culture within Italy. Art is a main part of the Italian culture and especially within Reggio Emilia art has always flourished. During the Roman age Reggio Emilia was simply a military station, however it continued to flourish with its own statues, magistrates, and its’ very own art college. Throughout history Reggio Emilia continued to flourish with art throughout the region, even during times of turmoil. Today there are various places throughout the city that exemplify the art culture of Italy, such as St Prospero Basilica, the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of Ghiara, Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, the Cathedral and much more. Since art is a huge part of the Italian culture it only seems fit that the Italians begin to stress the importance of creativity within their preschool age programs within the Reggio Emilia schools. The Reggio Emilia school began after WWII, in the 1940s, when a group of parents decided to sell old tanks from the war and use the money to create a quality preschool program for children. Several years after the creation the school, Loris Malaguzzi was moved by the community’s devotion to their children and began to help the town with their