Reggio Emilia Aotearoa New Zealand (REANZ)
REANZ is a charitable trust that has been in existence since June 2009. There are eleven trustees of REANZ, each of whom bring a considerable breadth of expertise and experience: practitioners working in the early childhood and primary sector, tertiary educators and those in other roles related to ECE. REANZ is committed to providing opportunities for teachers to critically engage with the pedagogy of Reggio Emilia within the cultural content of Aotearoa. One of the main aims of REANZ is that the knots and complexities that can emerge from these encounters with Reggio pedagogy and practice will cause educators to look more closely at their own ideas about education.
Save the Date!
Tiziana Filippini is coming to Aotearoa New Zealand in May 2019 planning to be in:-
Auckland - Saturday May 11th Workshop for all ECE and Primary
Auckland– Pedagogical Leaders Intensive 2.5 days Sunday 12th pm to Tuesday 14th May (number will be limited).
WellingtonFriday 17thand 18thMay two day Intensive
Auckland Monday 20thMay Primary Focus Evening
Tiziana Filippini is a pedagogista and collaborator with Reggio Children, Italy.
She has a degree in psychology from Padova University and worked as pedagogista from 1978 to 2015 as a member of the Pedagogical Coordinating Team of the Istituzione – Preschools and Infant Toddler Centres of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia.
In particular, Tiziana was the long-standing pedagogista of the famous Diana Preschool, which came to the world’s attention when it was featured by Newsweekin 1991 as one of the 10 best schools in the world.
She coordinated the Documentation and Educational Research Centre of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia (1994-2009).
Tiziana was member of the Board of Reggio Children from 1994 to 2007 and now collaborates with Reggio Children on current research projects, speaking at international conferences, and consulting widely in the field of early childhood education.
She was referent for the exhibition “The Hundred Languages of Children” which now travels the world and will be viewed by thousands of educators and members of the public at the Early Childhood Australia national conference in Darwin later this year. Tiziana is one of the appointed curators of the new exhibition about young children and their learning called “The Wonder of Learning: The Hundred Languages of Children”. This second exhibition brings together important stories and current research projects from Reggio Emilia, and shares this important work with educators in global contexts.
Tiziana Filippini coordinates the professional development activities for teachers and atelieriste at the infant-toddler centres and preschools in Reggio Emilia and has a sustained interest in the ongoing investment in teacher education.
Since 2011 she has been the pedagogical supervisor of ‘Officina Educativa’, the Department of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia which works with the compulsory primary school in Reggio Emilia for children aged 6-14 years.
During her 37 years of experience, Tiziana has travelled the world to present as a speaker at conferences and seminars. Through this work she is able to share and celebrate the experiences of the infant-toddler centres, preschools and primary school of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, a system that has earned world wide acclaim and is known for its authenticity, excellence and democratic approach.
Tiziana Filippini was part of a collaborative research group with Harvard University that closely examined the system and work of Reggio Emilia. The project, Making Learning Visible, focused on creating strong learning cultures in schools using documentation as a tool to deepen and extend learning. This important work has been published as a book that is known across early childhood and other education sectors in many different countries.
During these last years she has periodically traveled to Boston USA for professional development initiatives connected to Harvard University and Wheelock College. She encouraged and supported the creation of Wheelock’s documentation studio to share the tools of documentation with educators in Boston and New England.
Tiziana has been invited on three occasions to participate as a Presidential International Visiting Scholar, and in May 2015, Wheelock College awarded her with an honorary Doctorate in Education.
We are indeed fortunate to have Tiziana Filippini visit New Zealand to share some important thinking, work and research with us in response to the pivotal provocations of Reggio Emilia.
Reggio Emilia International Study Week
From 7-12 April 2019
REANZ Study Tour to Italy April 2019
Educationalists Jerome Bruner and Howard Gardner have said that the educational opportunities that are offered by schools and preschools in Reggio Emilia are amongst the best in the world:
"To really understand how these infant toddler centres and preschools exist, one needs to see them for oneself".
This experience will inspire you to think more deeply about teaching and learning in your setting in Aotearoa New Zealand. As a participant you will have opportunities to reflect on:
- The cultural context of Reggio Emilia
- The image of the child and the teacher
- The notion of the environment as third teacher
- The notion of pedagogy of listening
- Making learning visible through documentation
- The role of the pedagogista and your role as a professional leader
- And so much more…
2019 REANZ Co-Leaders Anne Meade and Diti Hill-Denee
Download the Flyer
Click to Register
8th International Art in Early Childhood Conference – 24th – 27th January 2019
Limited sponsorship available from REANZ
REANZ invites individuals or groups who have had their abstract accepted for this conference, to apply for sponsorship.
The successful applicant/s will meet the following criteria:
- Have an abstract that has been accepted by the selection committee Of the 8th International Art in Early Childhood Conference committee.
- The abstract will make strong connections to the pedagogy of Reggio Emilia. Please attach your abstract to your application
- The applicant/s will have a background of knowledge and professional learning in the pedagogy of Reggio Emilia as evidenced by professional learning that they have attended. Please provide written information in your application.
To apply for sponsorship, please send your application before 31 August, with your name, early childhood facility and contact details to REANZtrust@gmail.com, attention Lesley Pohio.
The decision of REANZ Trust will be final.
Our 2018 National Hui and Beyond
by Chris Bayes
We had been looking forward to our National REANZ hui since the idea was first suggested for us to meet in June at Mana Tamariki in Palmerston North. Brenda Soutar has been giving us guidance for many years with all things Māori. She is our Kaiārahi and provides guidance in regards to tikanga and kaupapa Māori and we always appreciate the wisdom that she shares with us. Brenda’s mana is admired by us all and we hold her in high esteem.
When you wake up each morning, you don’t know what will be revealed. the new day can bring joy, challenges and surprises. Like a book turning another page, you never know what is going to be revealed. Our day together in chilly Palmerston North were all of these.
The REANZ Trustees present were Wendy (Chairperson), Julianne (Treasurer), Helen (Secretary), Lorraine (International Representative), Prue, Lis, Chris, Glenys, Bridgette and apologies from Lesley and Diti. The Regional REANZ Networks were ably represented. We had Cheryl Kingi from Te Tai Tokerau, Sarah Jones from Auckland, Suz Clare from Manawatu, Adrienne Wilkins from Taranaki, Sharon Sciascia and Steff Kidd from Hawkes Bay, Rachel Denee from Wellington, Lia de Vocht from Christchurch and Pam Wilson from Southland. We were also pleased to have our Patron Anne Meade join us for the weekend. Continue reading
When your dance and my dance are entwined
Clare Battersby, TAPAC, Auckland, New Zealand Contact: fairyclarenz@gmail.com
Elizabeth Battersby, Education Consultant, Auckland, New Zealand Contact: liz@battersby.co.nz
This project dialogue examined how an emerging sense of dance identity might enhance a child’s awareness of and feeling of belonging in the world. It presented interviews with children that explored Clare Battersby’s long-held belief that children’s evolving sense of self develops and is empowered through their experience of an inclusive approach to dance. Here they are challenged and experience joy and success. This approach is rooted in contemporary dance theory, educational pedagogy, and theatre performance. It has no syllabus or examinations, but, rather, a co-constructed emergent curriculum. Every child is welcome in the class, which caters to their interests and abilities through collaboration between the teacher and participating children.
Click here to read
Primary Provocations Seminar
Re-imagining Power, Intent and Practice in the Primary Years of School- Jill McLachlan
The Compass Not the Road - One School’s Journey Towards Emergent Curriculum Andrew Morrall and Jade Bell
Reflection by Liz Battersby, April 2017
It has been intriguing to reflect on this thought-provoking day with Jill, Andrew, and Jade. They have each found ways to embrace Reggio-inspired practice in their different educational roles. Jill is an early childhood teacher and education consultant in NSW. Andrew is principal at Rolleston School in Christchurch. Jade is one of the early “pioneer” teachers involved in implementing a Reggio-inspired approach at Rolleston. I know from personal experience how powerfully encounters with the Reggio Emilia project can shake up teachers’ thinking, capture the imagination, offer tantalising glimpses of what could be, and reward us with children’s deep involvement in learning. Jill, Andrew, and Jade have experienced this shaking up, while taking their own Reggio journeys. Their ultimate joy in what they have discovered and their transformed practice would encourage any motivated educator who is seriously considering travelling this road. The benefits to children’s learning are profound.
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