Encountering Reggio Emilia: Values, Experiences and Identities

Following the launch of REACH as a member of the Reggio Children International Network on the Thursday evening of the conference, Dr. Giamminuti prompted reflection on the consideration of ‘beauty’ as an aspect of environments as research spaces for young children.

Delegates also reflected on the significance of pedagogical documentation as a democratic space for collaborating with children and families and reconsidered children’s rights through the lens of inclusion and special rights children. Through documentation, we become in greater ‘synch’ with the children….walking their journey said Dr Giamminuti.

The conference content invited participants to explore their personal value and belief systems (about children and teaching and learning) in order to better connect and give meaning to their practice.

Delegates enjoyed visits to four EtonHouse Preschools on the Saturday of the conference to understand how EtonHouse teachers are attempting to make reference to the Educational Project of Reggio Emilia in their own classrooms. These visits serve as reflection points for conference delegates, so that they can begin to see the relationship between conference content (theory) and classroom design and curriculum development (practice).

REACH would like to sincerely thank all Singapore Preschool Directors for their support and collaboration as part of the organisation of this conference.

– Heather Conroy

Executive Director of Pedagogy
Director of REACH