Reggio Emilia approach in childcare: what does it mean?

Key takeaways

Reggio Emilia sees the child as an active explorer with a hundred forms of expression

The environment is the 'third educator' and is thoughtfully designed

It is not a fixed method but a vision that differs per location

Parents are a full partner in the learning process

Compare concrete implementation, not just the label

This vision was developed by Loris Malaguzzi in the small town of Reggio Emilia in Italy. It is built on an educational philosophy that has been developed since the 1940s by alternating theory and practice, thereby strengthening both. In the Netherlands, you are increasingly encountering Reggio Emilia as a pedagogical starting point at daycare centers (kinderdagverblijven/KDV). But what does it actually mean for your child? And how can you tell whether a location truly lives this vision or merely has it on paper?

How does a Reggio Emilia location view your child?

Within the Reggio Emilia approach, the child is central as a strong, creative and curious being with their own ideas, thoughts and feelings. Children are seen as curious researchers. Every child is unique and is approached as an individual. Educators therefore do not assume what they think they know about children in general, but get to know each child by observing and listening carefully.

A hundred languages

An important principle is that every child has a hundred languages at their disposal. This refers to all the ways in which a child can express themselves: dance, music, drawing, building, playing, facial expressions, movement. All these forms of expression are equally valuable. A Reggio Emilia location gives children the space to express themselves in all these ways and actively encourages them to do so.

Three educators

Reggio Emilia is based on three educators, three sources from which children learn. The first educators are the children themselves and their interaction, which is an important driver of development. The second educator is the staff who are there to listen, observe and guide where necessary. The third educator is the space itself. The environment is carefully designed as a rich, inviting place that challenges children to discover and explore.

No fixed method

You can see Reggio Emilia as a philosophy that can be expressed differently at each location, depending on the context, the children and the educators. It only provides guidelines. What locations have in common is the inquiring attitude: educators continuously observe, ask open questions and follow children's interests to base projects and activities on.

Parents as partners

Parents play an important role within the Reggio Emilia approach. Children's experiences and projects are documented in photos, conversations and artwork, so that you as a parent can continue talking at home about what occupies your child. Parents, children and educators are seen together as a learning community.

Is a Reggio Emilia location right for your child?

The Reggio Emilia approach suits parents who value creativity, individuality and an environment in which their child is allowed to discover and grow in their own way. Want to know if a location near you works with this philosophy? On Kiddie.nl you can compare childcare locations and search by pedagogical vision.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Reggio Emilia and Montessori in childcare?

Montessori works with fixed materials and a prepared environment in which children work independently. Reggio Emilia has no fixed materials and focuses on project-based learning stemming from the child's interests, with more emphasis on expression and collaboration.

How can I tell if a daycare center really applies Reggio Emilia well?

Look for documentation of the learning process on the walls, ask about concrete projects and how they originated, and check whether staff have time for observation. Genuine application is visible in practice, not only in the policy plan.

Is Reggio Emilia suitable for every child?

The vision appeals to curious, independent children. Children who need a lot of structure can also thrive if the location provides this. The match depends on the concrete implementation, not the label alone.

What does 'a hundred languages' mean in the Reggio Emilia vision?

This is the idea that children communicate in far more ways than just with words: through drawing, movement, building, music and play. A Reggio Emilia location offers many different opportunities for expression.

How involved are parents in Reggio Emilia childcare?

Parents are explicitly the first educator and are actively involved in their child's learning. This can range from frequent conversations to contributing ideas for projects and participating in parent committees.