The ‘Reggio approach’ refers to a set of pedagogical practices - developed in Reggio Emilia, Italy, which is based on respect for childhood and the development of communities of learners.
Reggio Emilia is a small town in Northern Italy where, in 1779, the Italian tricolour was ‘born’ thus giving the town an important place in Italian history. However, its claim to fame in early childhood terms is due to its international reputation for the quality of its provision for young children. Reggio Emilia is important to the world of early childhood because of its reputation for pioneering approaches to pre-school education. Since the 1960s, when the municipality of Reggio Emilia began setting up its distinctive form of pre-school education, the municipality has grown in international significance for the quality of provision it offers for young children. The ‘Reggio approach’ has gained world-wide recognition, stimulated by international tours of the ‘Hundred Languages of Childhood’ exhibition which explains the approach and illustrates the processes and outcomes of its pedagogical approach through video and examples of children's work. Numerous visitors from around the globe have expressed great interest and respect for the work of Reggio Emilia's infant-toddler (for children up to three years) and pre-school (3-6 years) centres. Read more.
Reggio Emilia Approach. (2006). In Key Concepts in Early Childhood Education and Care. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/sageukecec/reggio_emilia_approach