THE REGGIO EMILIA APPROACH:
Unlocking your child’s potential
You may have heard us mention “Reggio Emilia” and wondered what on earth we’re on about.
Don’t worry – it’s not some trendy fad or complicated teaching method. It’s simply a way of nurturing children that brings out the best in them. Let’s break it down…
What is Reggio Emilia?
Named after the Italian town where it originated, the Reggio Emilia approach is a child-centred way of learning that’s been embraced by top nurseries and schools worldwide for over 50 years.
At its heart, Reggio Emilia is about:
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Respecting children as capable, curious learners
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Following their interests to make learning
fun and meaningful -
Encouraging creativity and problem-solving
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Building strong relationships between children, educators and families
How does it work in practice?
Imagine walking into Little Pips and seeing a group of toddlers fascinated by a caterpillar in the garden. In a Reggio-inspired setting like ours, here’s what might happen:
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We’d encourage the children’s curiosity, asking what they notice about the caterpillar.
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We might bring out magnifying glasses for a closer look, or books about insects.
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The children might decide to build a habitat for the caterpillar, using art materials to create their vision.
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We’d document their discoveries through photos and notes, creating a visual story of their learning.
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Parents would be invited to share in the excitement, perhaps by helping to research butterfly life cycles at home.
Why is it good for my child?
The Reggio approach isn’t about pushing academic skills too early. Instead, it nurtures the qualities that set children up for lifelong success:
Confidence
Children learn their ideas are valued and important
Creativity
Open-ended materials and activities encourage innovative thinking
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Communication
Children express their thoughts in many ways, from words to art to movement
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Critical thinking
By exploring and problem-solving, children develop strong reasoning skills
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Collaboration
Group projects teach teamwork from an early age
This simple encounter becomes a rich, multi-faceted learning experience – all led by the children’s natural interests
Is it proven to work?
Absolutely! While it might sound different from how you learned as a child, the Reggio approach is backed by decades of research in child development. Studies show that children from Reggio-inspired settings tend to be more confident, creative and socially skilled.
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Many top schools, including Pocklington School, value these qualities in their incoming students. By embracing Reggio principles at Little Pips, we’re giving your child a head start for their future education.
Nurturing through playful exploration
Will my child still learn the basics?
Of course! The beauty of Reggio is that it weaves traditional learning into everyday experiences. Your child will develop early literacy, numeracy and other key skills – but in ways that feel natural and fun.
For example, counting caterpillar legs becomes an early maths lesson. Writing signs for the caterpillar habitat builds literacy skills. Mixing colours for paintings introduces basic science concepts.
How can I support this at home?
The Reggio approach isn’t just for nursery – its principles can enrich family life too! Here are some simple ideas:
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Follow your child’s interests. If they’re fascinated by trains, use that to explore related topics together
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Ask open-ended questions. “What do you think might happen next?” encourages deeper thinking
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Provide simple materials – a cardboard box can become anything in a child’s imagination
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Document their learning. Take photos of their creations or write down their funny sayings to look back on together
