more sights in Reggio Emilia

The Study Tour continues and ends

Carolyn and I are still formulating our thoughts about all that we have seen and experienced. We saw different schools, both Infant and Toddler centres (Carolyn saw Alice and I saw Haiku) and Preschool centres (Carolyn saw Anna Frank and I saw Prampolini). Today, was our last day and the tour ended with a 'tea time' at the Panda Infant Toddler Centre. So, we have had separate and shared experiences that we must now process. We have decided that we need more time to sit with this information so that we can adequately share our thoughts and feelings about these experiences.

Our blog will live on, after we leave this amazing place and you will continue to hear about the schools and the sessions.

We are including some photos of the city streets of Reggio Emilia, our silly moments, friendships formed with our colleagues from Thompson Rivers University Early Childhood Program in Kamloops, BC and hopefully, you will gather a sense of the culture, the joy, and the beauty of this place.

Visit to the Pre-Primary and Grade 1 School at the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre – May 3, 2010 by Linda

We had the opportunity to visit the newest school in Reggio Emilia that was opened on February 23, 2009 in memory of Loris Malaguzzi. Some of the main ideas or themes that were shared about the space were that it was designed to encourage ‘connections’. These connections are about ongoing dialogue between everyone that inhabits the space, but most importantly, for the children. Transparency between spaces; viewing spaces from multiple perspectives from diverse openings (being able to view from up high, down low, the side) to enable thinking about situations in diverse ways; open spaces for bodily expression; intimate spaces for quiet moments; indoor and outdoor gardens with natural materials available for exploration.

The rooms were connected and flowed from one into the other. The belief is that children can learn from others when they can view them from different perspectives. Time for reflections is given to children to think about what they see and perhaps represent it (i.e. visually).

Color was infused into the school space, which was a surprise and a source of discussion for many participants in the study tour. The school was rich in different technologies (i.e. computers, LCD projections – large video and still image projections, smart board, multiple light sources). What is unique about this school is the introduction of a grade 1 classroom. The Reggio representatives explained that the teachers are provided by the state and so the dialogue is rich with diversity as the Reggio educators and the teachers seek to find common footing.

We are not permitted to photograph any of the schools that we will visit on this study tour. So we hope that our writing will be descriptive enough.

Day 3: At the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre by Carolyn

Paola Ricco who is responsible for Study Groups (Reggio Children) welcomed us to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre and introduced us to Reggio educator Amelia Gambetti. The morning session focused on the context, the community of Reggio Emilia and the educational experience. Amelia prepared us for our visits to the infant toddler centers and pre-primary schools. She suggested that we should, “take it easy and be patient” and to take time to reflect on what we will see. She spoke about the Reggio philosophy in context to research, innovations and evolution. I was interested in her statement, “Reggio itself is an interpretation of Reggio. It opens up opportunities for exchange.” I am now wrestling with this. What does she mean when she says that Reggio is an interpretation of itself? I will think further about this.

Maddalena Tedeschi, a pedagogista for preschools and infant toddler centers of Reggio Emilia spoke about the principles of the pedagogical project. She gave an example of a project that young children did when they compared similarities and differences between a column and a tree. She described the connections in learning that teachers documented as the children progressed in the project. Maddalena spoke about multiple entries and exits in project work. Circularity, transparency and connecting threads and hybrids were key ideas that she highlighted. I continue to grapple with the question, “do projects end?” If threads weave new ideas that seed new projects then traces of ‘what was’ continues in a never-ending spiral.

DAY 2

Day 2:

Linda and I enjoyed meeting study group delegates in the breakfast room of the hotel. A few of us decided to attend 9:00 am mass at the Basilica di San Prospero. When communion was given, Linda (who is Catholic) told me that I could accept the Priest’s blessing as a non-Catholic and to cross my hands over my chest and bow my head when I approached him. He would understand (supposedly) by this sign to give a blessing but not the host. This didn’t actually happen – thanks to Linda. The priest gave me a look of surprise and utter confusion. He obviously didn’t know what this sign meant – perhaps only Canadian Catholic priests do!!

The study group delegates met at the Astoria Hotel for an orientation meeting and lunch. What a treat – fresh pasta with cream and cheese sauces and hazelnut torte. We enjoyed time to mingle with and to meet our colleagues from across North America, Germany and Japan. Canadian delegates meet for small group discussions and we shared our background, questions and focus of interest for the coming week.
Carolyn
An organization called, ‘Friends of Reggio Children’ and 2 local high schools organized a ‘walking tour’ of the city for all of us. Students from the high school were our tour guides and provided us with a brief history of the city and pointed out some main features. We began in the theatre Ariosto. The curtain in this theatre was designed and created by children in one of the Reggio schools.

We visited the ‘Duomo’ church and our guides gave us the information on the lovely frescos. We saw various government buildings and the Jewish Ghetto. Although it was raining, the walking tour was a wonderful way to introduce us to the city and the rich history that exists here. At times, our Italian guides would deviate and begin to speak of which restaurants are the best and what wine we should drink with our meals!
Linda

When we arrived in Reggio, we discovered that it was a national holiday in Italy, Labour Day! There were people everywhere - music, food, market stalls…lots of action! Carolyn and I checked in the Posta Hotel (the oldest hotel in Reggio Emilia), freshened up and headed out to explore. Immediately, we noticed the festive air about us.

We walked to San Prospero Square (St. Prospero is the Patron Saint of Reggio Emilia), where the famous ‘stone lions’ live. We saw children climbing and playing on the lions just as the books about Reggio describe.

The fountain in the Arcade of the Square was a very joyful place. Children were running through the water and I thought about my son and how much he would enjoy this experience!

Linda

more about our first day

Our flight to Frankfurt was uneventful and although our flight to Bologna was slightly delayed, the overall trip was very easy.

We were fortunate to meet 2 fellow Canadians and we shared a taxi to Reggio Emilia with them.

Carolyn and I set off for Italy on Friday, April 30th from Calgary Airport. The weather was clear and beautiful and we felt this was a good omen for our trip. As we entered into security, I was pulled aside for a ‘random’ body check. This provided Carolyn with a good chuckle as she watched me go through this process!

Hopefully you can read this...

Hello everyone...hopefully you have access now to be able to read this. I promise it will look more interesting once I actually arrive in Italy!
We leave Friday and the study tour in Reggio Emilia begins on Saturday!
I will keep you posted!
Linda

Getting ready for our trip

It's Tuesday...only a few days until we leave...wish us luck!