Reggio Emilia: Intention behind the beauty

Beyond the light tables and natural materials lies a powerful philosophy of childhood. In this session we go deeper into the Reggio Emilia approach, exploring its post-war origins, the revolutionary image of child, and what it means to co-construct knowledge with young learners.

Karina Windolf from Mother Duck joins Hayden Rolls, Head of Partnerships at Mana, to unpack common misconceptions about the approach, because Reggio is far more than beautiful environments. Together they explore how these principles can be authentically embedded in everyday practice and how they strongly align with Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standard.

The conversation highlights how key ideas such as image of child, relationships, environments as a partner in learning and collaborative inquiry naturally support the intent of the EYLF and the expectations of the NQS. When understood deeply, these principles strengthen reflective practice, intentional teaching, partnerships with families and the creation of learning environments where children’s thinking is visible and valued.

The session will also explore how the philosophy can be thoughtfully interpreted within long day care settings. While the schools in Reggio Emilia were developed within a different system, the principles translate beautifully into Australian early learning contexts through strong relationships, extended periods of uninterrupted play, environments that invite inquiry and documentation that captures children’s thinking across the day. Rather than replicating a model, educators can adapt these ideas in ways that work within the rhythms, regulations and communities of long day care.

You’ll learn:

• The historical roots and core philosophy behind the Reggio Emilia approach
• How Image of child shapes practice, relationships and learning environmentsHow to communicate the approach to families beyond the aesthetics
• How Reggio-inspired principles align with the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Standard
• How these principles can be meaningfully interpreted within long day care settings in Australia
• Practical ways educators can embed these ideas authentically in everyday practice

Who it's for:

Educators and centre leaders who want to move beyond the aesthetics and deepen their understanding of the philosophy behind Reggio-inspired environments while strengthening practice in ways that align with the EYLF, National Quality Standard and the everyday realities of long day care.