21/04/2024
It has been an incredible experience for me in Reggio Emilia, Italy, at the International Study Group this past week, both on a personal and professional level. I flew to Reggio by myself as the preschool owner and only teacher of the Dolphin Online Preschool. As it turned out, I was the only representative from Panama, so it was exciting to share stories about Panama with the other participants.
I started the week, feeling like the child who doesn’t know where to sit in the cafeteria. It was very humbling. By the end of my week, I had connected with many educators from all over the world. Plus, I made new dear friends from Ireland. I will always treasure the week we had together.
Professionally, I grew so much, got inspired, and submerged myself into a world of beauty. This could sound strange to some maybe but being in Reggio Emilia and taking part in the sessions at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center puts this lens on all who visit.
Here are some quotes that stuck with me that sums up the experience:
- The Reggio Emilia approach is not a method but a way of being.
- We need to see the world through the eyes of a child, with the perspective of poetry, passion, purpose, intention and love.
- It is not I and YOU, it is US!
- Teachers are researchers of the highest quality, searching for new meaning.
- Education needs to spread peace.
- Good schools secure human rights
- Loris Malaguzzi believed that it is essential for children to live spontaneously, creatively, and conduct research on their experiences while teachers observe and learn.
I learned on a deeper level about the 100 languages, project work, digital technology, what teaching and learning in elementary school looks like, how children with special rights are integrated and much more.
All of these experiences have left an imprint on my heart and opened my mind to see the beauty in every child, every person I encounter and the world around me.
Thank you to the Reggio Children Foundation! I can’t wait to be back!! What an incredible experience it has been! 🇮🇹