About
The Municipal early childhood programs in Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy, for children aged three months to six years, are internationally acclaimed for the inspirations, challenges, and provocations they provide for all those concerned with the care and education of young children. Founded and developed by educational theorist, Loris Malaguzzi, the schools demonstrate a distinctive and innovative curriculum and pedagogy as well as a method of school organisation which recognises the potential of young children to question, reflect, problem-solve, theorise and experiment.
The schools in Reggio Emilia demonstrate, by making children’s learning visible, that children are capable of devising creative ways of knowing, understanding and making connections and meaning. There is a particular emphasis on the role of the environment, both social and physical, and the cultural, geographic, political, economic and historical experiences of Reggio Emilia are incorporated into learnings. This history, combined with the theories, ideas and practices in the schools are always changing and evolving, meaning that the schools cannot provide a model for practice in Australia. Accordingly, they offer an inspiration for our own thinking and practice.
The Study Program
The study program commences with a meeting of the Australian delegation at the Astoria Hotel on the Sunday prior to the start of the program. The program then continues on the Monday at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, which is within walking distance from the Astoria Hotel. The program concludes on the Friday evening.
Lectures will be in either English or Italian. An interpreter will be available whenever the Italian language is to be used.
The study program fee will include:
- the organisation of the program by Reggio Children;
- Understanding the principles of the educational project, including essential elements of daily life in the Infant-toddler Centres and Preschools
- Learning about the objectives and identities of the Infant-toddler Centres and Preschools
- Presentations of research projects and documentation made by teachers, atelieristas and pedagogistas working in Preschools and Infant-toddler Centres
- Encountering the city and community of Reggio Emilia and the social, cultural and educational context
- Visiting the Preschools and/or Infant-toddler Centres as examples of visible learning
- Participating in Ateliers for first hand exploration of the 100 languages
- Participating in work-and-reflection groups
- Visiting the exhibitions and spaces of the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre
- Private bus transportation from and to the centers in Reggio Emilia if and as required by the program;
- Breaks to indulge in a coffee & discussion with your Study Group
- Two Study Tour Leaders from REAIE will accompany the group;
- Late afternoon ‘get togethers’ will be organised with the Study Tour Leaders and REAIE participants;
- Study Tour Leaders are ‘on call’ throughout the study tour to assist REAIE participants.
ADDED FOR 2026: Complimentary visit to the Cervi Museum & a group dinner with your REAIE Group – further immersing you into the rich culture of Reggio Emilia.
Travelling To Italy
Delegates are to make their own travel arrangements. The REAIE recommended travel agent is DQ International Travel Service, please call Damian Quirk 03 9614 4588 or click here to email Damian. Damian is also able to organise travel with other airlines and incorporate other travel arrangements and tours. When deciding how best to book your travel, please consider that booking through a travel agent means that any issues that may arise before or during your travel will have the assistance of an agent. Without a travel agent, you are on your own.
Accomodation
The Study Group Leaders will be staying at the Mercure Astoria Hotel in the inner city, and this will also serve as the base for group meetings during the program. While it is not compulsory to stay at the same hotel, we recommend choosing accommodation nearby. Being close together makes daily communications, including any program updates or travel change, much easier. Staying nearby also offers opportunities to connect with fellow participants, share mealtimes, support one another, and enjoy sightseeing together. Past feedback suggests that proximity enhances the overall Study Group experience and is highly worthwhile.
Insurance
Reggio Children and REAIE require all participants have taken out:
- an individual insurance policy for accidents of any type in which they may occur during the Initiative. Reggio Children will provide for the participants an insurance for damages caused to people or things inside the municipal institutions;
- an individual insurance policy covering medical/hospital and/or hospitalisation expenses, as well as travel, board and accommodation for any additional day spent in Italy, in the event of any general health problems and/or any health emergencies that may arise in situ.
Travel insurance is available from DQ International Travel Service on application.
Optional Extras
REAIE will organise a bus from Bologna Airport to the Astoria Hotel, Reggio Emilia and from the Astoria Hotel, Reggio Emilia to Bologna Airport for Australian delegates and accompanying persons are also invited to travel on these buses.
There will be an additional charge for these transfers.
Day trips to Florence and Venice:
- Cultural days in different parts of Italy prior to the commencement of the Study Week, assist the participants with meeting and forming bonds with the REAIE study group, and becoming more familiar with the diversity and history of Italy. REAIE will offer two, one day trips by bus as well as a morning return trip to the Cervi Museum. The Study Group Leaders accompany the participants on these trips.
- Participants will be free to explore the cities of Venice and Florence. Guided tours are not included. Please click on the links for further information about Venice, http://en.turismovenezia.it/ and Florence http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/
- We strongly recommend these trips as a way of settling into the group and for getting to know one another before the intensive study program begins. Delegates on past study tours have commented that they hadn’t realised how much the quality of their study week would depend on feeling part the group – and how important the bus trips were for getting to know each other.
- Places on the buses are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
