Study Groups New - North American Reggio Emilia Alliance

About

Reggio-Related Professional Development Opportunities

Study groups to Reggio Emilia fall within a range of Reggio-related professional development opportunities available to North American educators. Study group organization and registration is not managed by NAREA. Where possible we have included the proper contacts for your convenience.

Study Groups

There are general study groups and study groups with a particular focus and specific criteria for participants such as “Architecture and Pedagogy in Dialogue,” “Documentation and the Action of Listening,” and “The Atelier and Languages of Materials.” Regional study groups can be organized for participants from areas/states/schools that have been in dialogue with the Reggio experience for a long period of time and have an advanced level of understanding and knowledge of the Reggio experience as well as knowledge of each other’s contexts and experiences. There is a Students and Professors Study Group organized annually in March.

Study Group Experiences

In Reggio Emilia

Study groups typically begin on Sunday afternoon and conclude on Friday afternoon.
While the week includes many lectures, atelier experiences, cultural options, and visits to the infant-toddler centers and preschools, the only place to encounter a Reggio Emilia school is in the city of Reggio Emilia where the political, cultural, social, and educational are woven together.

Current Study Groups

All Roads Lead to Reggio Emilia

Study group opportunities are constantly evolving, so it is necessary to keep checking on possible dates for ones with English translation.
Generally, there are North American specific, student and professor, and international study groups offered annually.

Study Group Registration & Participation

Angela Ferrario, US Liaison for Study Groups to Reggio Emilia

Reggio Children along with the Municipality of Reggio Emilia Istituzione sets the schedule for international initiatives and professional development offerings, including dates for study groups. Each year, they receive hundreds of requests for study groups and proposals for projects from around the world. Many factors are carefully considered as they create their calendar. When dates for United States or North American study groups are determined, Angela

Ferrario works with Reggio Children to make the arrangements, develop registration materials, and manage the registration process. She is available throughout the process, working with individuals and groups to coordinate the study group experience and to support the professional development, collaboration, dialogue, and collegiality among participants. Study group organization is not managed in the NAREA office.

Sample Study Group Program

Giving Visibility to the Values of the Philosophy

Study groups meet at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center and have access to the exhibition hall, the auditorium, and meeting rooms, the atelier/workshop spaces, and the Center for Documentation and Educational Research.

The study group program includes:

History of the Reggio Emilia educational project and future projections
Visits to preschools and infant-toddler centers of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia Istituzione
Presentations/seminars by pedagogistas, teachers, and atelieristas on the values and principles of the Reggio philosophy
Presentations of research projects carried out in the Reggio Emilia infant-toddler centers and preschools
Topics including: the image of the competent child; teachers as researchers; observation, interpretation and documentation; children with special rights; the role of the environment; the pedagogy of listening; materials and the 100 languages of children; parents’ involvement in the life of the school; and Remida Recycling Center for recycled materials
Time and space to interact with other participants and Reggio educators on specific occasions when opportunities will be given to dialogue and exchange experiences and reflections
Cultural encounters within the city of Reggio Emilia

The program gives visibility to the values of the philosophy through a combination of visits to schools, presentations, meetings, and exchanges of experiences. Large group sessions are balanced with smaller ones.

These take the following forms:

Orientation session and plenary sessions: whole group
Visitations to schools: usually 20—25 people in a group
Presentations by Reggio educators: approximately 40 people in a group
Reflection groups: 15—40 people in a group
Spontaneous or self-scheduled evening discussion groups: group size varies
Dinners with friends for debriefing and sharing ideas
Conversations with educators in schools: can be 1-on-1 or slightly larger (translators are present in each school to facilitate these exchanges)

The infant-toddler centers do not permit visitors while class is in session; therefore, visitation is usually in the early evening. Often parent representatives as well as educators are present. Groups typically visit a preschool while class is in session. This visit consists of a meeting with some of the school’s educators to understand a little about the unique history and context of that school, followed by about 1 1/2 hours of observation in the school. Then the group reconvenes for questions and discussion with the educators.

Study Groups

The study group program includes:

These take the following forms:

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