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The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education

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Being an Early Childhood Education student, my dream is to teach children and to teach them in the best way possible. I was first introduced to Reggio Emilia in a lecture at University early this year. During this lecture I learnt of this marvellous book that told the story of Reggio Emilia. I haven't been able to put the book down since! I have become totally inspired by what I have read, about the theories, ideas and beliefs behind this special educational community that is Reggio Emilia. From this book I have begun to understand that if you give children the best early in life it is a training for life. The interview with Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of Reggio Emilia, is inspiring, making the reader feel as though they are in fact speaking to Malaguzzi. Being able to read about the life of this great educator, about how Reggio Emilia came alive, especially in his own words, is unbelievable. The activities presented in the book and the pictures by the children are wonderful. I have gained so much from this book, so many ideas that I will hold onto to ensure my success as a teacher. This book has truly opened my eyes to what the focus of education should be, that is the children. I feel extremely lucky to have read this book, the more I read the more I want to visit Reggio Emilia and see the great work that is being done, by the teachers and children alike. This book is a treasure, one that I could read over and over. I highly recommend it to any education students, educators and parents of young children as an insightful look into what we can only hope to achieve in every classroom.

Long heralded as early childhood education in one of its purest forms, Edwards, Gandini, and George Foreman give us this complete volume laying down the fundamentals of this non-transplantable approach to teaching young children that has been used in Reggio Emilia, Italy for generations.

There are many superlatives. First, we get seven chapters detailing Reggio Emilia from those who were instrumental in its creation (i.e. Loris Malaguzzi) to those who actually administered the system (Sergio Spaggiari) to actual Reggio teachers (Carlina Rinaldi). You cannot get a more authentic viewpoint than that! Second, we get a pluralistic view through both American and Italian scholastic eyes of how classic early childhod theory undergirds and buttresses Reggio's approach. Lastly, we get six chapters directly focused on how we can use Reggio's experiences to enhance early childhood education in the US.

Is Reggio Emilia the "perfect" approach? I doubt any early childhood approach can claim that characteristic. I also doubt that Reggio Emilia's approach can be accurately executed in the United States--we might be to cynical for that. Not even small cities could truly reflect the seemlessness it needs. If, however, you use this book to educate yourself on the approach by parsing out the myths, I believe it will do nothing short of enlightening you on the fact that the United States is behind in some important areas on how to correctly nurture young children.

This book outlines an early childhood program originating in schools in Italy. Since the 1980's, schools in the United States have been intrigued by the way education for young learners is designed. The Reggio Emilia approach is a community effort that requires heavy involvement from administrators, teachers, parents, children, and government. Teachers guide student learning based completely on student interest and take students through learning experiences that encompass these interests. Teachers work side-by-side with students not only as facilitators of learning, but as learners themselves. While the book itself is not a pleasure-filled experience, the content is inspiring! It requires careful reading and rereading. Some of the dialog between educators can prove to be dull and it is easy to get lost in the words. The documentation of truly authentic work that captivates the abilities of children, however, is moving. A book for all educators, The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emelia Approach Advanced Reflections, Second Edition, is one that will force one to take a close look at how children learn and how to effectively reach them.