A dialogue between the city and the children...

How can we build a more democratic co-existence and a more global idea of citizenship?

It begins through our schools.

The mayor of Reggio said, “Schools are the piazzas of the communities.”  Schools represent, in many ways, the culture of our community.  Here in Reggio there is a deep dialogue between the city and the educational centres.  The early childhood centres are at the top of the investment pyramid because the community sees children as their most valuable citizens.  They promote the right of children to live in the community from the very beginning and have them visible at the cultural, political, institutional places in the city.   Through the children we can build a more democratic co-existence and a more global idea of citizenship.  Everywhere I go in this city I feel that this is a living right that children have.  They’re everywhere!

The most important thing I learned today was this...

The relationship between the community and the school is the most important aspect of this approach.  You cannot export the 'Reggio Emilia Approach', you can only be inspired by it.  Like what they do here, we need to make a connection between our school community - the space, the people of the institution, the families within it, the International and Russian cultures - and the children in our classrooms.  The children need to make visible their learning in the hallways, the outdoor spaces, the nooks and crannies and express an understanding of and a belonging to our school community.  If our learning is visible, the community will understand and contribute.  Making the learning visible connects us all.