By Heather Conroy, Senior Director of Pedagogy, EtonHouse Pre-Schools

The preschools and infant toddler centres in the small town of Reggio Emilia, Italy,  became a little more familiar to teachers both from Singapore and surrounding countries during a two and a half day conference held recently In Singapore (4-6^th March 2010).

Amelia Gambetti and Emanuela Vercalli, of Reggio Children in Reggio Emilia,  Italy, shared with conference participants key principles, which guide the practice of educators in Reggio Emilia

• Image of child  and how that construct translates into every aspect of the teaching day (teaching interactions; time schedules; the planning of materials and the learning environment)
• The pedagogy of listening and  documentation  of learning/teaching encounters
• Environment as the third  teacher – building aesthetic spaces which demonstrate respect for children
• Working in partnership with parents and the wider community

To share the context of the Reggio Emilia preschools, the speakers shared several very powerful videos which supported the delegates in understanding how the principles of Reggio Emilia were enacted within both infant toddler and preschool classroom environments.  I am amazed at the use of natural materials; there is so much attention to detail in the learning environments; the learning spaces are so inviting and carefully planned was heard many times as participants had opportunities to share with each other their own personal reflections about what they were learning.

As well as the two key note speakers from Italy, there was participation from a group of International speakers representing early childhood organizations and settings that have been in dialogue and collaborating with the Reggio approach for many years. Beth MacDonald and Margie Cooper represented NAREA (North American Reggio Emilia Alliance); Harold Gothson, Senior Consultant of the Reggio Emilia Institute in Stockholm; Jan Millikan and Helene Oberman from REAIE (Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange) and Moonja Oh, (KAREA) Korean Association for the Reggio Emilia Approach. The contribution of the International network speakers was invaluable to support conference delegates in understanding how the principles of Reggio Emilia could exist within other contexts outside of Reggio Emilia, Italy

The key message from Reggio Children speakers to conference delegates was not to simply ‘copy’ what they had seen in the videos and books, but to think deeply as to how the principles shared by the speakers related to participant’s own  local context; to reflect on their own values and beliefs in relation to teaching and learning. Now go home and forget us; find your own identity and culture, said Amelia Gambetti as parting advice to delegates use Reggio Emilia as a mirror to better understand yourself.

In relation to the ‘next step’, participants talked about the need for a paradigm shift within the local context of Asia. They spoke about advocating for the rights of young children; of demonstrating greater respect; about better trusting children. We need to start to see children differently; we need to reflect on how we demonstrate our valuing of young children; we need to change our attitude to working in greater collaboration with children; we need to slow down and better listen to children.

The conference was attended by 370 delegates from China, Indonesia, India, Japan; Malaysia, Thailand; Vietnam, Australia; New Zealand with a large contingent of Singaporean educators. The conference was organised as collaboration between AECES (Association for Early Childhood Educators in Singapore) and EtonHouse Education Centre, the training arm of EtonHouse Preschools.