Abstract
The historical roots of preschools in Reggio Emilia lie deep in the history of the Reggio Emilia working classes, the history of the women of Reggio Emilia and in the history of the local government, which steadfastly believed in investing in the future. But it is also the 40-year-long history of a group of people, some highly creative in the pedagogical field and others in the political field, all highly motivated, who have skilfully managed a precious heritage of experience over the years. Finally, as far as the history of a single man can count in such a complex collective movement, it is also the history of a man with many interests, a courageous and wilful man and above all, a free thinker: Loris Malaguzzi (1920–1994). This chapter presents the intricate weaving of the cultural, social, historical, economic and human relationships over many decades that have resulted in the development of the successful and effective schools for young children in Northern Italy.
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Notes
- 1.
FISM, Italian Federation of Preschools, a Catholic organisation which has been operating in Reggio Emilia since the early 1970s.
- 2.
‘Una città, tanti bambini. Memorie di una storia presente’ (‘One city, many children. Memories of a present history’), Reggio Children, Reggio Emilia 2010, p. 71.
- 3.
Paola Cagliari, ‘La storia, le ragioni ed i significati della partecipazione’ (‘The history, reasons and meanings of participation’, in various authors, La partecipazione: valori, significati, problemi e strumenti, (‘Participation: values, meanings, problems and tools’) Documentation and Educational Research Center of the Municipal Infant-toddler Centers and Preschools, Reggio Emilia 1994, p. 8.
- 4.
Loris Malaguzzi, La gestione sociale. Significati e finalità, (‘Social management. Meanings and purposes’) in Partecipazione e gestione sociale, (‘Participation and social management’) published in the ‘Quaderni reggiani’ of the Department for Preschools and infant-toddler centres of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia 1984, pp. 5–6.
- 5.
Loris Malaguzzi, in Partecipazione e gestione sociale, (‘Participation and social management”) published in the Quaderni reggiani, Municipality of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia 1984, p. 2.
- 6.
The description of the various bodies refers to the Preschool and Infant-toddler Center Regulation of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, published in 2009.
- 7.
The atelierist, a figure officially introduced with the Regulation of 1972, is one of the most significant innovations of the Reggio Emilia experience. He/she is an expert in different (principally graphic) languages, who, in a dedicated area (atelier), helps the children to form their own their expressive language.
References
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Cecconi, L., Stegelin, D. (2013). Weaving Relationships Between Preschools, Families and Communities. In: Clark Wortham, S. (eds) Common Characteristics and Unique Qualities in Preschool Programs. Educating the Young Child, vol 5. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4972-6_15
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