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Itt,:;,:,io Emilia —
<br /> Editor's note: The early child-
<br /> hood programs pr programs in Reggio Emilia, Fundamentals of the
<br /> Italy, have captured the attention
<br /> of the world. More than 10,000
<br /> international Ennha
<br /> international educators have vis •
<br /> eg�
<br /> ited the schools. The exhibit, "The
<br /> 100 Languages of Children," that Approach to Ear
<br /> describes their educational ap-
<br /> proach and documents the learning
<br /> process through children's work and Childhood Education
<br /> educators' reflections, is currently
<br /> touring throughout North America. •
<br /> Young Children previously pub-
<br /> lished articles describing the Reggio
<br /> Emilia approach (New, 1990) and Leila Gandini
<br /> comparing it to practices in the
<br /> United States (Katz, 1990). The
<br /> three articles that follow further ex-
<br /> n Italy both municipal and na- The city now runs 20 schools
<br /> tendourunderstandingoftheReggio
<br /> Emilia approach and its implica tional programs for young for children ages three to six
<br /> tions for early childhood practices children have been in place years, as well as 13 infant/toddler
<br /> in the United States. for about 25 years, since the en- centers for children four months
<br /> In June 1993 the founder of the actment of a law establishing that to three years of age. Children
<br /> Reggio schools, Professor Loris children between the ages of three from all socioeconomic and edu
<br /> Malaguzzi, and several of the key and six are entitled to free educa- cational backgrounds attend the
<br /> pedagogical leaders, Sergio tion.This law was followed in 1971 programs:47%and 35%of the two
<br /> respec-
<br /> Spaggiari, Carling Rinaldi, and by a law establishing infant/tod- age groups are served, respec-
<br /> Tiziana Filippini, visited the dler centers that also receive pa- tively. In Italy about 90% of chil-
<br /> United States and were honored rental financial contributions. In dren three to six years old attend
<br /> mu-
<br /> guests at N States and were honored
<br /> We each case, women were especially some kind of school, whether mu-
<br /> invited Professor Malaguzzi to active and effective advocates for nicipal, national, or private; in
<br /> share some of the most important the legislation. Reggio Emilia 95% of preschool-
<br /> aspects of his philosophy, in his Of special note is that in these age children are enrolled in
<br /> own voice, with the readers of programs, both education and school. Children with disabilities
<br /> Young Children. We are indebted care are considered necessary to are given first priority for enroll-
<br /> Young
<br /> Leila Gandini for her transla provide a high-quality, full-day ment in the schools.
<br /> tion of Professor Malaguzzi's writ program. These programs corn- Through many years of strong
<br /> par-
<br /> ing and for her succinct descrip- bine the concept of social services commitment and cooperation,par-
<br /> don and
<br /> f for her succinct
<br /> principles with education, an approach that ents and educators in Reggio have
<br /> tion
<br /> the the
<br /> Emilia approach,rinc principles is widely accepted in Italy. What, developed the present excellent
<br /> which Reggio
<br /> a ilia framework for then, is so unusual or special about program that, in turn, has become
<br /> Reggio Emilia, a town of 130,000 a point of reference and a guide
<br /> understanding Malaguzzi's phi- inhabitants in northern Italy? for many educators elsewhere in
<br /> losophy.Finally, NAEYC's director In Reggio Emilia the city-run Italy,in various European countries,
<br /> of professional development, Sue educational system for young chil- and—in the last 10 years—in the
<br /> Bredekamp, reflects on her recent dren originated in schools started United States. Thirty years of suc-
<br /> visit to Reggio Emilia and the by parents,literally built with their cessful experience with schools for
<br /> implications of the work done own hands, at the end of World about half of the children in a city of
<br /> there for revising NAEYC's posi- War II. The first school was built 130,000 inhabitants has created
<br /> tion statements on developmen- with proceeds from the sale of a
<br /> tally appropriate practice. tank,some trucks,and a few horses. Leila Gandini is liaison to the United
<br /> All photos are courtesy of From the start, Loris Malaguzzi StotesfortheDeportmentofEarlyEduca-
<br /> AssessoratoScuoleInfanziaeAsili has guided and directed the ener- Son, lof dEmilia andArsityoFaassa,
<br /> Nido, Reggio Emilia, Italy. gies of parents and educators. chusetts,Amherson, UniversiryofMassa
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<br /> Young Children•November 1993
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