The 9th NAREA Winter Conference
“Constructing a Culture of Shared Values for Children and Childhood: Honoring Diversity, Differences, and Democracy”
March 22-24, 2018 • Seattle, WA
Some say Seattle has always been ahead of the curve. From human rights issues to the environment, the Seattle community supports progressive thinking. So it was fitting that Seattle served as the host city for the 9th NAREA Winter Conference entitled “Constructing a Culture of Shared Values for Children and Childhood: Honoring Diversity, Differences, and Democracy.” Over 290 participants from 26 U.S. states, 3 Canadian provinces, and 4 countries convened in the Microsoft Auditorium of the award-winning Seattle Central Library to encounter the values and experiences of the municipal infant-toddler centers and preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. It was powerful to see every seat in the auditorium filled with educators and advocates dedicated to advancing early education.
The 13th NAREA Summer Conference
“Early Childhood Education as Activism: Stewardship, Social Justice, and Global Engagement” Featuring the Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Innovations in Early Education: The International Reggio Emilia Exchange
June 22-24, 2017 • Ann Arbor, MI
The Relevance and Timeliness of the Conference TopicThe 13th NAREA Summer Conference, “Early Childhood Education as Activism: Stewardship, Social Justice, and Global Engagement,” took place on June 22-24, 2017, in Ann Arbor, MI in connection with the presence of “The Wonder of Learning – The Hundred Languages of Children” exhibit on the campus of the University of Michigan, as the exhibit was hosted by the University of Michigan Children’s Centers and the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Health, Education, and Human Services. Since the beginning of the NAREA exhibit project in 2008, the exhibit host community’s choice for their professional development focus during their hosting period is, in most cases, also the title of the NAREA winter or summer conference that takes place in that community.
The Eighth NAREA Winter Conference
Cultivating the Strong Potential of All Children: Growing a Community Vision for Education
March 9 - 11, 2017 • Durham, NC
Before the 8th NAREA Winter Conference began, the NAREA board co-wrote a “solidarity statement”, which was meant to be a reflection on the current political landscape of North Carolina. The statement gave visibility to NAREA’s commitment to diversity, and was posted on the NAREA website, Facebook page, and on the local host community’s exhibit website.The North American Reggio Emilia Alliance "is a diverse community of advocates and educators actively promoting and defending the rights of children, families, and teachers of all cultures through a collaboration of colleagues inspired by the Reggio Emilia experience." This experience is one that embodies inclusion and respect for diversity.
The Twelfth Summer Conference
Engaging Children, Families, and Educators in a Spiral of Learning: Embracing Openness and Uncertainty
June 23 - 25, 2016 • Toronto
The logistics email that participants received set the stage for the Twelfth NAREA Summer Conference: “Get ready, because we are going back to college with early days, presentations in auditoriums, intellectual discourse, plentiful coffee, and campus food! The conference will take place on the Ryerson University Campus.” From June 23–25, 2016, 380 educators from 6 countries, 27 U.S. states, and 7 Canadian provinces gathered in Toronto, ON for an intense three days of discourse, dialogue, and exchange inspired by the educational project of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The conference featured Reggio educators, Moira Nicolosi and Giovanna Cagliari.
The Seventh NAREA Winter Conference
Values and Quality of Life within the Context of an Educating Society: Responsibility, Community, Citizenship, and Creative Thinking
March 3 - 5, 2016 • Miami, FL
On a beautiful sunny day in South Miami, over 250 participants from five countries, 18 states, 2 U.S. territories, and 5 provinces came together for the Seventh NAREA Winter Conference. The conference was held in collaboration with Reggio Children and the Florida Reggio Collaborative for the Rights of Children. Deanna Margini, pedagogista and Francesca Manfredi, atelierista from Reggio Emilia, Italy were the featured speakers over the course of the three days. Held in a two-story open loft in the Shops at Sunset Place, the conference venue was a reflection of the Miami hosts’ creativity and strong community ties.
The 11th NAREA Summer Conference
Bridging Partnerships on the Path of Learning: Embracing History, Identity, and Culture in our settings
June 18-20, 2015 • Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a city filled with bridges and with a strong history of change and innovation, greeted 220 participants to the 11th NAREA Summer Conference: Bridging Partnerships on the Path of Learning: Embracing History, Identity, and Culture in our settings. The conference was held in collaboration with Reggio Children and Reggio Emilia Pittsburgh Initiative at the beautiful Heinz History Center, Mueller Education Center. After a short walk from the Westin Conference Center and Hotel, participants entered through a museum focused on the history and current life of Pittsburgh- reminding us that we were in a special place at a particular time for a particular reason: “to build a diverse community of advocates and educators to promote and defend the rights of children, families and teachers of all cultures through the collaboration of colleagues inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.” (NAREA Mission)
The Sixth NAREA Winter Conference
Exploring Possibilities: Viewing all Children as Citizens, Researchers and Innovators of the World
March 12-14, 2015 • New York (Manhattan and Brooklyn)
We are happy to share with you that 700 participants, from 26 states and three countries attended the Sixth Annual NAREA Winter Conference held in New York: “Exploring Possibilities: Viewing all Children as Citizens, Researchers and Innovators of the World “, a NAREA initiative in collaboration with NYC Encounters in Reggio Emilia, Teaching Beyond the Square, Beginnings Nursery School, and Williamsburg Northside School, with the support of Reggio Children. Due to the high demand, participants gathered in two different venues, one in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn, where they participated in plenary sessions, school visits and encountered the exhibit "The Wonder of Learning- The Hundred Languages of Children" during the three days of the 2015 NAREA Winter Conference.
2014 The Tenth NAREA Summer Conference Reflections
Promoting the Rights of Children: Community Participation and Dialogue
June 19-21, 2014 • Albuquerque, New Mexico
We are please to report that over 448 participants from 34 states and four countries attended the Tenth NAREA Summer Conference “Promoting the Rights of Children: Community Participation and Dialogue.” The conference featured the participation of Lella Gandini, Amelia Gambetti, Carolyn Pope Edwards, and George Forman, visits to the Exhibit, virtual school tours, affinity group time, and cultural highlights focusing on the arts in Native American cultures. The conference required some adjustments as Carla Rinaldi’s illness and subsequent absence affected the flow and content of the days. Amelia and Lella worked together to develop an offering in place of Carla’s presentation. The conference was logistically more complex, taking place in several venues: Hotel Albuquerque, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, and Explora!
2014 NAREA Winter Conference
The Pleasure of Learning: Reimagining School as a Place of Inspiration, Innovation, and Collaboration
February 27-March 1, 2014 • Greenville, South Carolina
It is with great pleasure that we report that over 350 participants, from 26 states and 4 countries, attended the Fifth Annual NAREA Winter Conference, "The Pleasure of Learning: Reimagining School as a Place of Inspiration, Innovation, and Collaboration"! The conference featured the participation of Paola Cagliari and Angela Barozzi from Reggio Emilia, visits to the Exhibit, school tours, affinity group time, and cultural highlights focusing on southern storytelling.It was a conference with many firsts- the first time for Angela to present in the United States, the first time for the winter conference to feature the Exhibit "The Wonder of Learning”, the first time to offer a break out group for those who have encountered the Exhibit multiple times, the first time for many participants to attend a NAREA conference, and the first time for a southern gospel choir to tell their story through song with educators! The beautiful sanctuary of the First Baptist Church served as a backdrop for the conference sessions and the educators and parents from First Baptist Church Kindergarten and Infant-Toddler Program provided southern hospitality to all! The excitement and dedication of participants was visible each day as groups of educators joined in conversations about early childhood education.
2013 Summer Conference
Dialogues for Quality in Education
Dialogue Across the Pacific: Honoring the Child as Learner, Collaborator and Citizen
July 11-13, 2013 • Honolulu & Kapolei, Hawaii
The NAREA board was so pleased to meet colleagues from North America and around the world at the 2013 NAREA Summer Conference! The beautiful campus of Mid-Pacific Institute, a Pre-K through Grade 12 school in Honolulu, provided a lovely backdrop for the conference sessions, where the temperatures were pleasant and the tropical breeze blew throughout the open-air spaces outside the auditorium where the plenary sessions took place. Over the course of the week, there were over 220 participants representing 22 states and 9 countries. NAREA was happy to award over 35 scholarships this year to both local and non-local volunteers involved in conference organization.
2012 Summer Conference
Dialogues for Quality in Education:
Giving Visibility to Creative Thinking and Collaboration in Our Schools and Communities
June 21-24, 2012 • Portland, Oregon
The NAREA Board so enjoyed meeting colleagues from North America and around the world at the 2012 NAREA Summer Conference! Washington Park provided a beautiful backdrop for the conference sessions, which were located throughout the various venues – Oregon Zoo, Portland Children’s Museum and the World Forestry Center. Over the course of the week, there were more than 550 participants representing 31 states and 17 countries. NAREA was happy to award over 40 scholarships this year to both local and non-local volunteers involved in conference organization.
2011 Summer Conference
Dialogues for Quality in Education - Valuing Early Childhood: An Invitation for Community Dialogue
June 16-18, 2011 • Pacific Grove, California
Presentations by Elena Giacopini, Pedagogista, and Anna Orlandini, Atelierista, Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centers, Istituzione of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia.
2010 Summer Conference
Dialogues for Quality in Education - Our Image of Children, Our Image of Teachers, Our Image of Learning, Our Responsibility
June 23-25, 2010 • Chicago, Illinois
Presentations by Graziano Delrio, Mayor of Reggio Emilia, Italy; Carla Rinaldi, President of Reggio Children and Professor at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; and Amelia Gambetti, Reggio Children/International Centre Loris Malaguzzi Responsible for Project Promotion and Development, International Coordinator, International Liaison and Consulting:
NAREA Summer Conference 2009
Dialogues for Quality in Education: The School as a Place of Relationships and Connections
June 27-30, 2009 • Tulsa, Oklahoma
Presentations by Paola Cagliari, Pedagogista, and Massimo Ghirardi, Atelierista, Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centers, Istituzione of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia
NAREA Summer Conference 2008
Dialogues for Quality in Education: The School as a Place of Research
June 28-July 2, 2008 • Boulder, Colorado
Presentations by Reggio Educators“The Competent Child” and “The Values of the Reggio Philosophy and the Pedagogy of Listening” – Carla Rinaldi
“Values of the Philosophy of the Reggio Approach” and “Observation, Interpretation, Documentation: Presentation of a Project of the Exhibit” – Daniela Lanzi
“The Hundred Languages of Children Exhibit and Its History in North America” –Amelia Gambetti & Lella Gandini
2007 Annual Meeting
The Value of Community in Supporting Quality of Life for Children –
How Does the Reggio Experience Offer Challenges for the American Context?
2007 •
We are here tonight to honor Dr. Jerome Bruner, the 2007 Recipient of NAREA Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution to Early Childhood Education. Bruner is a psychologist and educator whose career has centered around research on perception, learning, memory and other aspects of cognition, especially in young children. He has written many seminal works on education and cognitive studies. He is one of great thinkers of our time and has provoked so many of us in our own thinking.
NAREA Summer Conference 2007
Advocacy, Diversity, and Alliance for the Rights of Children: Teachers, Children, and Families as Co-Researchers
June 28-30, 2007 • Santa Monica, California
The Third NAREA Summer Conference, "Advocacy, Diversity Alliance for the Rights of Children: Teachers, Children, and Families as Co-Researchers," was hosted in collaboration with Mary Hartzell and her thoughtful, creative staff and families at the First Presbyterian Nursery School in Santa Monica, California. The conference marked the expansion of collaborative contacts in individual, group and multiple cultural contexts.
2006 Annual Meeting
Honoring Amelia Gambetti, Reggio Children International Exchanges Coordinator and Liaison for Consultancy in Schools, Istituzione Scuole e Nidi d'infanzia Advisory Council, Reggio Emilia, Italy
November 10, 2006 • Atlanta, Georgia
I would like to say a few words that come from my heart. I believe that I am who I am because of you. I think that all the courage and strength, the wisdom and the anger, my spirit and my soul, my willingness, my wishes and my hopes come from all the teachers and the directors, from all the educators I have had the privilege to encounter in my life here in the United States.
NAREA Summer Conference 2006
Advocacy, Diversity, and Alliance for the Rights of Children:
Documentation, Reflection and Transformation
July 27-29, 2006 • Calgary, Alberta, Canada
It was a great pleasure to host the conference here at the University of Calgary, in conjunction with "The Hundred Languages of Children" exhibit. NAREA is a North American organization but, as Canadians, we feel somewhat isolated from each other and our work is not highly visible to ourselves or to others, including NAREA members. This conference brought us into dialogue with educators from around the world and with some of the historically important participants in the Reggio journey in North America, thus strengthening NAREA's work across borders. This was apparent as registrants included approximately 200 people coming from as far away as Japan, Santa Domingo, Mexico, Canada and twenty-three of the United States.
2005 Annual Meeting
National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference
Washington DC
December 9, 2005 • Washington DC
This year, the NAREA annual meeting included a tribute to Lilian Katz, Professor Emerita, University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign and Co-Director of the Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative, Champaign, IL. Three early childhood educators participated with Lilian in a panel discussion, titled "Building Relationships and Dialogue Between the Reggio Emilia Approach and the Project Approach": Lella Gandini, Adjunct Professor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and Reggio Children Liaison for Dissemination of the Reggio Approach in the United States;
NAREA Summer Conference 2005
Advocacy, Diversity, and Alliance for the Rights of Children:
Open Dialogues between North American Educators and the
Social, Cultural and Pedagogical Context of Reggio Emilia, Italy
July 7-9, 2005 •
Contributions by Reggio Educators Amelia Gambetti and Sandra Piccinini
2004 Annual Meeting
National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference
November 11, 2004 • Anaheim California
Panel Exchange with Lella Gandini, Barbara Bowman, John Nimmo, and Teresa Acevedo
2003 Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting Roundtable Discussions
An Opportunity to Reflect and Respond
2003 •
NAREA is an organization that began with an idea. This idea that forms the foundation of NAREA is that individuals and groups of individuals throughout North America, inspired by the schools for young children in Reggio Emilia, desire and deserve to form connections and to communicate with other individuals and groups of individuals studying the schools in Reggio.