The Reggio Emilia Approach
If you’ve ever watched your child build, paint, tell stories, or ask endless questions, you already know that children are natural learners—curious, creative, and eager to explore the world. But in many traditional schools, learning is often limited to sitting at desks, listening to lectures, and memorizing facts. What if there was a better way?
At The Learning Hive, we’re passionate about creating a learning environment where children are seen as capable, creative individuals. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach—a revolutionary educational philosophy from Reggio Emilia, Italy—we believe that every child is a natural learner who thrives when given the freedom to explore, create, and communicate. Here’s an easy-to-understand guide for parents and community members on what this approach means and how it benefits your child.
The Reggio Emilia approach began in Italy after World War II when a group of parents and educators wanted to create a better way to educate children—one that encouraged creativity, independence, and collaboration. This approach is now recognized worldwide as one of the most effective and joyful ways for children to learn. It is built on the idea that every child is naturally curious, capable, and full of potential. Instead of following a rigid curriculum, learning is based on what excites and interests the child. Rather than memorizing information, children explore, investigate, and express their ideas in many creative ways.
The approach can be broken down into 5 overarching principles:
Children Are Leaders of Their Own Learning: The child’s curiosity leads the way.
Learning Happens Through Play, Art, and Exploration: This kind of learning engages the whole child—mind, body, and imagination—so that education is exciting and unforgettable.
The Classroom is Designed to Inspire Learning: The classroom isn’t just a place where learning happens—it’s considered the “third teacher” (after parents and educators), carefully designed to nurture creativity and critical thinking.
Teachers are Guides, Not Just Instructors: They act as guides and co-learners, helping children explore topics in a way that feels natural and exciting.
Learning is Rooted in Community & Collaboration: Community as an essential part of learning. This deep sense of connection helps children see that learning isn’t just something that happens in school—it’s a lifelong journey that happens everywhere.
At The Learning Hive, we believe that children deserve an education that nurtures their creativity, celebrates their identity, and encourages them to think for themselves. The Reggio Emilia approach does exactly that. If you’re curious about how the Reggio Emilia approach works in action, we’d love to invite you to tour our school and meet our educators.