In Conversation with Carlina Rinaldi, President, Reggio Children Italy

By Rachael Yeager

Dr. Carlina Rinaldi, president of Reggio Children in Italy, made a rare visit to observe the BSS, Reggio-inspired Junior School. A world renowned expert in early childhood learning, Dr. Rinaldi’s presence at BSS was further validation of its growing reputation as a leader in Reggio-inspired learning. Dr. Rinaldi gave the keynote address at a three-day conference, hosted by JS Principal, Jennifer Armstrong and the Ontario Reggio Association. Educators and experts from across the country gathered at BSS to deepen their understanding of the approach being studied and applied in the Junior School.

The Link sat down with Dr. Rinaldi to discuss the core values of the Reggio approach and BSS’s version being applied in its Junior School.

 

Q: When you say, “child as a researcher,” what do you mean by this, and how does it benefit the child?

A: This idea contributes to the development of our essence as human beings. By searching and researching, we can begin to explore our deep roots, improve our spiritual development,
and begin to understand “why?”

Q: In your keynote address, you spoke about the pedagogy of listening, or using documentation to help educators listen in order to teach. In traditional settings, children are usually told what to do, and what to learn. Why is listening to the child so important?

A: Children bring us a lot of value, and they are able, by themselves, to give some explanations and theories to ideas. But, also, because to listen means to make them visible, to give them visibility. When you give children visibility, you give them value. Listening to them makes them aware of the possibility that they are considered a responsible human being.

Human beings, and children in particular, are really able to offer interpretations and theories about the reason why things are the way they are. If you want to start real learning, you have to start where you are in your questioning. If you want to learn, it’s not “what I know;” it is “how can I learn?”

Q: Are there particular areas where Reggio principles are especially important or effective?

A: They are recognized and welcomed all over the world, but I think they have been most important in countries where the children are not visible and not recognized, politically or ethically or economically.

They empower children where they are not visible or recognized. It’s not about what you see, but what you can recognize. If you allow [children] to be, if you make them visible, you give them a sense of responsibility.

Some countries and continents around the world need, more than ever, to give their children
visibility. But also, in our rich, Western countries, we need to be responsive to this. Our
children are rich, but not happy.

Q: Do you think that by continuing to teach these principles, and applying them to older children as well, it will help make our children happier?

A: I don’t know, but this is my wish. It will help the children be more responsible because they
are more aware…they become aware.

They’re not just being told, but being listened to as well, and they can learn reciprocity—this is
what we’re missing in our world.

And it’s very important, in terms of a global climate, and a global world.

Q: What do you think about the work being done at BSS, based on your observations over
the last few days?

A: I’m very grateful to be here because this school is one of the best examples of the development of this approach.

I’ve had a very interesting visit, and my opinion is that this school is absolutely going in the
right direction. I want to continue my relationship with [BSS] because what I’ve seen here is one
of the most interesting applications and developments of these ideas.

Q: BSS’s Junior School facility was constructed with Reggio principles in mind. Did we succeed in doing this?

A: Absolutely. Transparency, community, you can see it everywhere in this building.

Q: What advice do you have for parents who are thinking of sending their children to a school that takes a Reggio-inspired approach?

A: It will help the parents be better educators for their own children, and for the children to be educators as well. Both will learn to be better educators, and educate their community.


Posted May 12, 2008 at 12:33am






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