Theme: “Lending a Hand to Thrive: Supporting Each Other”
The Reggio Emilia educational project was born from the vision and determination of families. In the aftermath of World War II, parents and community members in Reggio Emilia, Italy came together to imagine and build a new kind of school—one grounded in hope, democracy, and the belief that children deserve to grow up in spaces that value their rights, voices, and potential.
In the spirit of this powerful legacy, REAIE advocates for the enduring role of families—parents, carers, and extended kin—as co-constructors of children’s learning and wellbeing. From its beginnings, the Reggio Emilia Approach has viewed families not as participants on the sidelines, but as pivotal protagonists in the educational journey.
Educators are called to act with deep listening—creating spaces where families are truly heard, respected, and valued as integral partners in shaping the child’s world.
This National Families Week, we acknowledge the role families bring in connection and collaboration to ensure children thrive. We honour relationships, embrace diversity, and uphold the Reggio Emilia principle of partnership as foundational to our work.
We invite you to pause and reflect:
- What does family mean to you?
- What is your image of the family in your context?
- How do we ensure we are welcoming of the diverse families we support through our work?
- How do we invite collaboration from families in their children’s learning?
Together, educators and families share a powerful purpose—for the benefit of the child, and for a more just and connected society.
