1st Edition

Loris Malaguzzi and the Schools of Reggio Emilia A selection of his writings and speeches, 1945-1993

    478 Pages 22 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    478 Pages 22 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Loris Malaguzzi was one of the most important figures in 20th century early childhood education, achieving world-wide recognition for his educational ideas and his role in the creation of municipal schools for young children in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia, the most successful example ever of progressive, democratic and public education.

    Despite Malaguzzi’s reputation, very little of what he wrote or said about early childhood education has been available in English. This book helps fill the gap, presenting for the first time in English, writings and speeches spanning 1945 to 1993, selected by a group of his colleagues from an archive established in Reggio Emilia. They range from short poems, letters and newspaper articles to extended pieces about Malaguzzi’s early life, the origins of the municipal schools and his ideas about children, pedagogy and schools. This material is organised into five chronological chapters, starting at the end of World War Two and ending just before his death, with introductions to each chapter providing background, including the historical context, the main events in Malaguzzi’s life and the rationale for the selection of documents. 

    The book provides a unique insight into the background, thinking and work of Malaguzzi, revealing, in his own words, how his thinking developed, how he moved between theory and practice, how he border-crossed many disciplines and subjects, and how he combined many roles ranging from administrator and campaigner to researcher and pedagogue. Academics, students and practitioners alike will find this landmark publication provides rich insights into his life and work.

    Introduction

    Chapter 1. Early Years: to 1963

    Introduction

    The selection of documents

    Timeline up to 1963

    Three retrospective biographical documents

    Documents 1945-63

    Chapter 2. First Steps: 1964-69

    Introduction

    The selection of documents

    Timeline 1964-69

    Documents 1964-69

    Chapter 3. Years of Growth: 1970-679

    Introduction

    The selection of documents

    Timeline 1970-79

    Documents 1970-79

    Chapter 4. Opening to the World: 1980-1989

    Introduction

    The selection of documents

    Timeline 1980-89

    Documents 1980-89

    Chapter 5. The Final Years: 1990-1993

    Introduction

    The selection of documents

    Timeline 1990-93

    Documents 1990-93

    Walking on silk threads

    Biography

    Paola Cagliari, pedagogista, is Director of the Scuole e Nidi d’Infanzia Istituzione del Comune di Reggio Emilia [Preschools and Infant-Toddler Centres – Istituzione of the municipality of Reggio Emilia], Italy.

    Marina Castagnetti, preschool teacher, is archive curator at the Documentation and Educational Research Centre of the Scuole e Nidi d’Infanzia Istituzione del Comune di Reggio Emilia, Italy.

    Claudia Giudici, psychologist, is President of the Scuole e Nidi d’Infanzia Istituzione del Comune di Reggio Emilia, and a member of the Board of Directors of Reggio Children, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

    Carlina Rinaldi, pedagogista, is President of Reggio Children and of the Reggio Children–Loris Malaguzzi Centre Foundation, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

    Vea Vecchi, atelierista, is responsible for the area of Exhibitions, Publishing and Ateliers in Reggio Children, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

    Peter Moss is Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood Provision at the Thomas Coram Research Unit, UCL Institute of Education, University College London

    "This book presents for the first time in English many of the writings and speeches of Malaguzzi and provides rich insights into his life and work. Documents have been selected by his colleagues from an archive established in Reggio Emilia. They range from short poems, letters and newspaper articles to memoires of his early life, extended pieces about the origins of municipal schools and his ideas about children, pedagogy and schools." - Rory McDowall Clark, TACTYC