The Fundamental Principles of the Reggio Approach Workshops have been an annual professional development initiative of the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance since 2004. NAREA board members, membership coordinators and members host these workshops, focusing on the fundamental principles of the Reggio approach to early childhood education, in partnership with NAREA every spring. Some workshops also include tours of local Reggio-inspired schools.

The NAREA board wishes to highlight their belief in and commitment to the value of diversity and differences as essential aspects of personal and professional development. Recognizing the ever-increasing number of programs for young children inspired by Reggio's approach to life and education, we honor and encourage each program and every group of colleagues to stay a course that includes permanent study, research, collaboration, innovation, transparency and exchange. Through the Fundamental Principles of the Reggio Approach Workshop series, participants will encounter a host of schools at varying points of their own journey, willing to open their doors, expose their work and welcome the participation of visitors. This style of development has been introduced to all of us by the only "Reggio schools" of Reggio Emilia, Italy. To be continually encouraged to find our own unique identities as schools in different communities worthy in their own right is to see how much the message of Reggio Emilia is based on attitudes of research and innovation, rather than prescriptive dogma.

If you are interested in hosting a workshop, log onto the Fundamental Workshops - Hosting page [www.reggioalliance.org/narea/fundamental_workshops/hosting.php] of the NAREA website.

2010 NAREA Fundamental Principles of the Reggio Approach Workshops