START YOUR REGGIO INSPIRED PRACTICE – FREE GUIDE

Chapters Found in Getting Started With The Reggio Emilia Approach Video

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:30 – Reggio In A Nutshell Video
• 03:19 – Start With Why
• 06:02 – The 3 Protagonists
• 06:56 – Image of the Child
• 11:54 – Image of the Parents
• 13:17 – Image of the Educator
• 16:47 – Creating Images of 3 Protagonists & Why
• 19:23 – The Hundred Languages of Children
• 23:59 – Why we say Reggio Inspired
• 26:15 – Process to Implement REA
• 29:53 – Communicating Your New Approach
• 33:25 – Personal Reflections

Getting Started With The Reggio Way Of Thinking

During my 9 year journey of embracing The Reggio Emilia Approach, there are a few key glaring mistakes that I’ve learned – 

(Learned the hard way btw)

And that’s to not compare your journey, experience, materials, setups to others or think it’s not enough or “right”.

Cuz when you start your journey to learning about The Reggio Emilia Approach, it’s very easy to get caught up in wondering if your setting is IG worthy.

It’s a Grade-A way to second guess yourself, missing the true value in this beautiful approach.

So let’s talk. 

Because there’s a few things I want to get Swavarski clear on. 

(Cuz our wild world online is sometimes like a game of telephone)

Have you ever said these?

“I am not reggio enough.”

“How do I make my environment look reggio?”

“Am I doing it right?”

The FIRST thing to remember about The Reggio Emilia Approach is…

Your program will never be EXACTLY what is in Reggio Emilia because you’re not in Italy! 

The goal is to learn from the Reggio Educators and subsequently apply it to our own contexts….it’s never been about copying. 

Secondly, since this approach is a way of thinking and having a strong image of the child, educator and family….your setting will be as unique as the people in it. 

The Reggio Emilia Approach helps us move away from conformity towards individuality and community…with the people actually in your setting.

And lastly, the one thing that made the biggest difference is having a reflective practice. 

The Reggio Emilia Approach is not about knowing the answers

It’s about leaning into the wonders, questions and problems that arise and THINKING about new perspectives to engage the children’s curiosities and yours.

After this you turn on your ECE superpower, researching, to understand how children acquire knowledge and best support them.

As a result of embracing this way of thinking, you’ll now be able to move forward in your journey with a clearer understanding, and use your reflective practice to make meaningful and purposeful changes.

Now that we’ve busted these misconceptions and have a clear mind to start your journey with The Reggio Emilia Approach, take the next 30 min and watch this video, as I walk you through the next steps to creating a practice that represents you, the children and families in your context.

Then to continue your journey and be surrounded by a community of like minded educators embracing this way of thinking into their own contexts, check out The Confident Educator Course where you’ll find a strategic but yet customizable roadmap to educate with creativity and connection and grow in your practice in new and profound ways.

I can’t wait to hear how you reflect this beautiful approach into your setting.

Leave a comment on the blog so we can continue the conversation and learn alongside each other.

LINKS MENTIONED

Reggio Inspired Practice – Free Guide

The Reggio Emilia Approach In A Nutshell – Video

Values & Principles of REA

The Image Of The Child – Loris Malaguzzi

Reggio Children

The Confident Educator Course