History of ECE Archives - 45 Conversations Media & Education Ltd.

Loris Malaguzzi and the History of the Reggio Emilia approach

Loris Malaguzzi is an important figure in the development and history of the field of early childhood education. He is responsible for developing one of the world’s most popular educational approaches to date and that is the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Malaguzzi developed the Reggio Emilia educational approach shortly after World War II at a time when many Italians felt children needed a new and progressive way of being educated. In the 1940’s after taking degrees in pedagogy and psychology, Malaguzzi began his career as an elementary school teacher.

In 1963 with the help of the municipality of Reggio Emilia, Loris Malaguzzi participated in the creation of the first municipal preschools and simultaneously aided in the creation of several infant-toddler centres within the community. Malaguzzi’s Reggio Emilia style of education was revolutionary and unique in the way that it understood that young children are individuals who are independent and are capable of doing whatever it is they set their mind to. Malaguzzi believed that all children are resourceful and intelligent. He understood and incorporated these beliefs into his teaching philosophy and into the development of one of the world’s most popular educational approaches, the Reggio Emilia approach.

This video from the Department of Education in South Australia features Honorary associate professor Alma Fleet speaking about the history of the Reggio Emilia approach. It provides a quick overview that is both interesting and helpful. In the video, Alma explains about how educators in Reggio Emilia focus on listening to children rather simply talking at them. Through her work at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia she has been involved in many different research initiatives and has authored articles, chapters and books regarding many different aspects of early childhood education.

Elements of the Reggio Emilia approach

Children are driven by their instincts to learn. Children are resourceful and intelligent.

Educators and teachers are mentors or guides who facilitate a child’s learning process.

Children’s learning processes and thoughts are documented by teachers to reflect upon and conceptualize the progress and development of the child.

Children are communicators and are encouraged to use language to ask questions and discuss their observations.

Children learn about themselves and their place in the world by socializing and interacting with others around them.

Play and learning are not separated. Children express their understanding and application of the things they learn through their play and creative modes of expression (language, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, pretend play or modelling and music. In the Reggio Emilia approach this is called the “100 Languages of Children”.

Interesting Facts about the Reggio Emilia approach

Reggio Emilia is a town and it’s surrounding areas are located in northern Italy

Reggio Emilia is not a method, but is an approach that can be altered and developed to fit the needs of a particular school or a given community.

There are no international schools where educators can train in the Reggio Emilia approach

Schools are not Reggio Emilia schools, but instead are “Reggio inspired” as each school and community is different, thereby influencing the educational approach to be unique to a particular school area or community.

Even though Loris Malaguzzi is responsible for the development of one of the world’s most popular approaches to education, Reggio Emilia, many people often have difficulty spelling his name. Some common misspellings for his name when people search on Google include Lori Malaguzzi and Magaluzzi. It’s good to remember that the correct spelling of his name is actually — Loris Malaguzzi.

Three Wonderful Quotes from Loris Malaguzzi

“Learning and teaching should not stand on the opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning and how to learn.” ~ Loris Malaguzzi

“Creativity seems to emerge from multiple experiences, coupled with a well-supported development of personal resources, including a sense of freedom to venture beyond the known.” ~ Loris Malaguzzi

Creativity becomes more visible when adults try to be more attentive to the cognitive processes of children than to the results they achieve in various fields of doing and understanding. ~ ~ Loris Malaguzzi

Helpful Resources about Loris Malaguzzi and the Reggio Emilia Approach

The Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Years Education – Please click here.

Principles of Reggio Emilia approach to Early Childhood – Please click here.

Your Image of the Child: Where Teaching Begins by Loris Malaguzzi – Please click here.

Reggio Emilia As Cultural Activity Theory in Practice by Rebecca S. New – Please click here.

Re-imagining Childhood: The inspiration of Reggio Emilia education principles in South Australia by Carla Rinaldi – Please click here.

Read more about the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education and find out more about Loris Malguzzi.

45 Conversations offers online ECE workshops so that early childhood educators can complete their professional development hours easily. Several of the workshops incorporate learnings related to Reggio Emilia. Links often change on the internet. Should you find any of the links in this post to no longer be working please send an email to jane @ 45Conversations.com

Updated in 2022

Maria Montessori is one of the most influential names in the history of early childhood education!

Maria Montessori was born August 31st, 1870 in Chiaravalle, Italy. Educated in Rome, Maria became one of Italy’s first ever female physicians and graduated from the University of Rome’s medical program, focussing on psychiatry. However during this time she also developed a keen interest in pedagogy, education and educational theory which would help her create an innovative way of teaching young children and would also spur her to open up the first ever Montessori school called the Casa dei Bambini or Children’s House. Maria is famous for having developed a school of thought and method of teaching, named after her, whose main tenets centre around a young child’s natural curiosity and inclination to learn.

This style of teaching in early childhood became known as the Montessori Method and is a style of teaching that focusses on auto-education or a child’s innate intrigue in self-taught learning. Within the Montessori Method, children are given the space and resources to learn at their own pace and in ways which are natural and less structured. With the ability to have up to three grade levels within a single classroom, Maria Montessori incorporated this aspect of integration into the Montessori Method, after making the observation that children can learn from each other and can be taught by each other just as easily as adults teach children.

Maria observed that children have a natural desire to learn, and she designed her classrooms and materials to facilitate this process. Maria’s work has had a lasting impact on the field of early childhood education. Today, there are thousands of Montessori schools in over 100 countries, educating millions of children. Maria’s philosophy of education stresses the importance of hands-on learning, respect for individual differences, and a prepared child sized environment. These ideas are now widely used in Early Childhood settings all over the world. Maria Montessori was truly a pioneer in her field, and her legacy continues to influence educators today.

About the Montessori Method

One of the most important aspects of Montessori education is the prepared environment. The prepared environment is a carefully designed space that meets the needs of the children and allows them to explore and learn at their own pace. The materials in the environment are specially selected to engage the senses and encourage learning. Montessori classrooms are typically filled with colourful, inviting materials that invite exploration.

The Montessori Method is based on the belief that children are naturally curious and have an innate desire to learn. Maria believed that if we provide children with a stimulating environment and the opportunity to explore their surroundings, they will develop into competent, confident learners. The Montessori method relies heavily on hands-on learning experiences. Children are encouraged to touch, manipulate, and experiment with materials in order to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Interesting things to consider about Montessori:

Class sizes are often large and are well organized

Montessori materials are used throughout the classroom

Classes are often calm and quiet

Classes often include mixed age groups of up to 3 grade /age levels

Montessori educators often hold a college degree and Montessori training as well as early childhood education training when they are working with young children

There is a difference between authentic Montessori and Montessori-inspired

Classes focus on a child’s natural learning process and innate curiosity to educate itself

To this day Montessori schools and early childhood education centres and facilities are very popular for their child-centered approach to learning.

Montessori Practical Life — Montessori – Practical Life

Cool Things About Montessori

The Montessori method has been in use for over a hundred years.

In 2020 it was 150 years since the birth of Maria Montessori

Maria Montessori opened the first Montessori school called the Casa dei Bambini, or Children’s House—in Rome on January 6, 1907.

There are over 22,000 Montessori schools across 110 countries around the world.

Montessori is one of the fastest growing forms of education in the world.

What are some of the benefits of the Montessori Method?

The Montessori Method is an educational approach that is based on the belief that children are naturally curious and eager to learn. This approach emphasizes hands-on learning and allows children to move at their own pace. As a result, Montessori classrooms are often filled with materials that encourage exploration and discovery. The Montessori Method has been shown to have numerous benefits, including improved academic achievement, social skills, and creative thinking. In addition, the Montessori Method has been found to be particularly beneficial for those with exceptional needs or who are considered to be at-risk. As the world becomes increasingly complex, the ability to think creatively and outside of the box will become increasingly valuable.

Montessori is unique in its focus on the individual child. Maria believed that each child is a unique individual with different strengths, interests, and needs. She designed her classrooms and materials to meet the needs of each individual child. In a Montessori classroom, you will often see children working at different levels and at their own pace. This allows each child to learn according to his or her own abilities and interests.

The Legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori

The effect Maria Montessori has had on and continues to have on ECE programs and schools throughout Canada and across the globe is unprecedented and growing in popularity. And although Montessori died in May 6th, 1952 she left behind a legacy so great in the field and study of ECE that the Montessori name has not only become a household name in the field of ECE, but a symbol by which many people associate good quality early childhood education.

Without question, the legacy of Dr. Maria Montessori has had a lasting impact on the field of Early Childhood Education. Maria’s philosophy of education stresses the importance of hands-on learning, respect for the individual child and the capabilities of young children. These ideas are now widely used in Early Childhood settings all over the world. Maria Montessori was truly a pioneer in her field, and her legacy continues to influence educators today.

Check Out Our ECE Workshops Connected to Montessori!

Online ECE Workshop: It’s Not About Easy — It’s About Following The Child!

Our online ECE workshop called “It’s not about easy–it’s about following the child” has been developed by 45 Conversations to support early childhood educators in easily obtaining their professional development hours. This workshop incorporates a lot of early learning practices based on the Montessori method. For example learners will:

Understand the concept of “following the child” and how it relates to self-directed learning.
Assess their own personal beliefs and philosophies to determine how those beliefs can impact the children they care for, their team, and the environment they want to create.
Understand the benefits of supporting self-direction and independence in young children within early learning and care environments.
Identify five ways they can begin supporting self-direction and independence with the young children in their care.
Create a learning environment that puts child self-directed independence at the forefront.

You can join this workshop now and begin learning about key elements of Maria Montessori right away. Register today!

Online ECE Workshop: Implementing a Montessori-Inspired Approach

Our online ECE workshop called “Implementing a Montessori-Inspired Approach” provides an excellent overview of Montessori and the ways you can go about establishing a Montessori-Inspired approach in your program. This ECE Workshop covers:

Part 1 – Introduction to Dr. Maria Montessori and the Montessori Method of Education
Part 2 – Understanding the Difference Between the Montessori Method of Education and a Montessori-inspired Approach
Part 3 – Implementing a Montessori-inspired Approach
Part 4 – 8 – Detailed Overview of 5 Montessori-Inspired Actions You Can Take to Begin Implementing a Montessori-inspired Approach Right Away
Part 9 – Assess Your Personal and Professional Alignment with the Montessori-inspired Approach
Part 10 – Workshop Completion and Request Your Professional Development Certificate

Visit the registration page to learn more and to begin today!

Last Update: 2022