Introducing the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education (3 Part Series)

Part 1 offers you an overview of the Reggio Emilia Education Project and introduces you to the city of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Reggio Emilia is the birthplace of the preschools and infant & toddler centres that have become world-renowned for their work with children and families. This workshop explores the idea of the image of the child and the foundation of the work undertaken by the schools; and what this might mean in the Australian context.

Part 2 will explore the principles of the Reggio Emilia Educational Project and dispel some of the myths that have grown around the way our colleagues in Reggio Emilia work with and alongside young children,  their families, and how educators work collaboratively with each other. This workshop will look at examples of how we can translate these principles into our own practices in Australia.

Part 3 offers a glimpse into educational documentation and the way this is used in the preschools and infant & toddler centres in Reggio Emilia to share teaching and learning. This workshop will look at several 'projects' in order to unpack the role of educational documentation and possible ways we could interpret this work in our own context.

 

Dr Deborah Harcourt is a longtime investigator of the Reggio Emilia Educational Project, her first encounter with the schools being in 1994. Since then, Dr Harcourt has had the great privilege of visiting Reggio Emilia - the city and its schools on many occasions. Deborah has also worked alongside Professor Carla Rinaldi, during Professor Rinaldi's Thinker in Residence for the South Australian Government, where she gained greater insight into the work of the schools of Reggio Emilia. Dr Harcourt now works with and alongside educational leaders across Australia and the Asia Pacific region in supporting the translation of the principles of Reggio Emilia into many different early childhood contexts.

 

Completing Introducing the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education may contribute one-hour of PD that aligns with the NESA (NSW) criteria for Elective PD and addresses:

The Australian Professionals Standards for Teachers: APST 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning

Early Years Learning Framework Learning Outcomes: Outcome 2: Children are connected and contribute to their world

The National Quality Standard: QA 6: Collaborative partnerships with families and communities