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    The Hundred Languages of Reggio Emilia: Loris Malaguzzi’s Approach

    20 min
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    May 19, 2026
    EducationPhilosophyCreativity

    Explore the Reggio Emilia approach and Loris Malaguzzi’s philosophy. Learn how this child-led learning model honors the hundred languages of children.

    The Hundred Languages of Reggio Emilia: Loris Malaguzzi’s Approach

    Best quote from The Hundred Languages of Reggio Emilia: Loris Malaguzzi’s Approach

    “

    Children have a hundred ways of thinking, discovering, and expressing themselves, but traditional schooling steals ninety-nine of them to focus only on words and numbers.

    ”

    This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member

    Input question

    I need to learn the basic of the Reggie amilio pedagogy for early childhood development

    Host voices
    Lenaplay
    Milesplay
    Learning style
    Deep
    Knowledge sources
    Reggio Emilia Approach
    link
    https://www.reggiochildren.it/en/reggio-emilia-approach/
    Basic Philosophies of Reggio Emilia
    link
    https://umdearborn.edu/cehhs/centers-institutes/early-childhood-education-center/about-ecec/philosophy/basic-philosophies
    Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia: A Practical Comparison of Child-Led Learning Approaches for Families and Educators
    link
    https://www.drkristennguyen.com/post/montessori-waldorf-and-reggio-emilia-a-practical-comparison-of-child-led-learning-approaches-for
    5 Reggio Emilia Approach Examples to Try Today  - Strong Start
    link
    https://www.astrongstart.com/reggio-emilia-approach-examples/
    What Is Reggio Emilia? A Parent's Guide to This Child-Led Approach | Crayonary
    link
    https://crayonary.com/what-is-reggio-emilia-guide-to-child-led-approach/

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Reggio Emilia approach originated in a village in northern Italy following the Second World War. In a powerful act of community resilience, local citizens used bricks from bombed buildings to construct a school. This movement, led by founder Loris Malaguzzi, sought to create a new educational philosophy that viewed children as strong, capable protagonists of their own stories rather than passive recipients of information.

    The 'Hundred Languages of Children' is a thematic anchor of the Reggio Emilia approach based on a poem by Loris Malaguzzi. It suggests that children possess a hundred different ways of thinking, discovering, and expressing themselves, such as through sculpting, dancing, drawing, and shadow play. The philosophy argues that traditional schooling often narrows this down, focusing primarily on words and numbers while neglecting other vital forms of expression.

    Unlike traditional models where teachers deliver instructions to children who simply receive them, the Reggio Emilia approach is a rebellion against the desk-and-workbook method. It treats children as active protagonists in their own learning journey. By moving away from filling 'empty vessels' with facts, this child-led philosophy provides a breath of fresh air that encourages diverse ways of discovering and interacting with the world.

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    Key Takeaways

    1

    The Hundred Languages as a Map for Human Potential

    0:00
    0:47
    1:25
    1:47
    2:08
    2

    Seeing the Child as a Capable Protagonist

    2:45
    3:08
    3:23
    3:43
    4:03
    4:21
    4:44
    5:02
    3

    The Environment as the Third Teacher

    5:14
    5:41
    5:55
    6:19
    6:37
    7:01
    3:23
    7:38
    4

    The Teacher as Co-Researcher and Provocateur

    7:49
    8:09
    8:20
    8:41
    8:57
    9:16
    9:33
    9:48
    10:03
    5

    Parents as Essential Partners and Advocates

    10:24
    10:40
    10:57
    11:12
    11:29
    11:47
    11:58
    12:12
    6

    The Project Approach as a Journey of Discovery

    12:28
    12:45
    13:04
    13:19
    13:33
    13:48
    14:04
    3:23
    14:04
    7

    Navigating the Differences with Montessori and Waldorf

    14:23
    14:42
    14:58
    15:17
    15:33
    15:56
    16:11
    16:29
    8

    Bringing the Spirit of Reggio into Your Home

    16:45
    17:02
    17:22
    17:38
    17:52
    18:10
    18:29
    18:43
    9

    The Enduring Legacy of the Hundred Languages

    19:00
    19:21
    19:38
    19:54
    20:08
    20:24

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