The history of NAREA is rooted in the work and ideals of many dedicated individuals in the US, Canada, and Mexico. These individuals visited the community and schools of Reggio Emilia and carried back images and narratives about this powerful community of education based on a philosophy that values the potential of all children to think, learn, and construct knowledge. These first visitors returned to Reggio over and over again, leading delegations of colleagues.

Supported by colleagues in Reggio Emilia and North America, they hosted the traveling exhibit from Reggio, The Hundred Languages of Children, organized conferences and courses, opened their schools for study and dialogue, and published articles and books, thereby creating a vast network of learning inspired by the Reggio approach.

In November 2002, during the annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children in Chicago, NAREA was formally launched as an organization. Today, NAREA continues to grow in membership, as well as in its capacity to create initiatives and develop resources for the continued learning and networking of its members. NAREA is a member of and active participant in the Reggio Children International Network.

For additional organizational information about NAREA, log onto the Goals & Mission, Logo Story and Lifetime Achievement Award pages.