Lecture by Dr. Lella Gandini on Early Childhood Education

“Early Childhood Education and Society in Post-War Italy:
The Case of Reggio Emilia”

In Northern Italy in the late 1960’s, within the context of the  emerging Italian feminist movement and of social protests advocating  for better social services, child care, and schools for young  children, the city of Reggio Emilia developed an innovative system for  the education of young children. Parents, citizens and new immigrants  alike, were included as owners and participants.  Teachers, moreover, collaborated with school psychologist Loris Malaguzzi in developing a  system of documentation for their innovative work in the preschool  setting.

Dr. Gandini, the U.S. liaison for the Reggio Emilia Program, is the  co-author of The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia  Approach-Advanced Reflections; Bambini: The Italian Approach to  Infant/Toddler Care; In the Spirit of the Studio: Learning from the  Atelier of Reggio Emilia; and Loris Malaguzzi and the Teachers:  Dialogues on Collaboration and Conflict Among Children.