Art and Creativity in Reggio Emilia: Exploring the Role and Potential of Ateliers in Early Childhood Education / Edition 1

by Vea Vecchi

Overview

This book explores the contribution of and art and creativity to early education, and examines the role of the atelier (an arts workshop in a school) and atelierista (an educator with an arts background) in the pioneering pre-schools of Reggio Emilia. It does so through the unique experience of Vea Vecchi, one of the first atelieristas to be appointed in Reggio Emilia in 1970.

Part memoir, part conversation and part reflection, the book provides a unique insider perspective on the pedagogical work of this extraordinary local project, which continues to be a source of inspiration to early childhood practitioners and policy makers worldwide.

Vea's writing, full of beautiful examples, draws the reader in as she explains the history of the atelier and the evolving role of the atelierista. Key themes of the book include:

- processes of learning and knowledge construction

- the theory of the hundred languages of childhood and the role of poetic languages

- the importance of organisation, ways of working and tools, in particular pedagogical documentation

- the vital contribution of the physical environment

- the relationship between the atelier, the atelierista, the school and its teachers

This enlightening book is essential reading for students, practitioners, policy makers and researchers in early childhood education, and also for all those in other fields of education interested in the relationship between the arts and learning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415468787
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/10/2010
Series:	Contesting Early Childhood Series
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Vea Vecchi worked as an atelierista at the Diana municipal preschool in Reggio Emilia for over thirty years, doing pedagogical research and documentation in the area of children's many languages. She now acts as a consultant to 'Reggio Children'.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii

Note on Reggio Emilia terminologies xii

Series editors' introduction: Invitation to the dance xiv

1 Introduction 1

2 Aesthetics/Poetics 5

3 A general overview 16

4 The bicycle metaphor 48

5 The long view of organization 61

6 An ethical community 71

7 Environments 81

8 Professional marvellers 108

9 Visible listening 132

10 We cake up the walk again 158

11 The Loris Malaguzzi International Centre 167

12 Blue flowers, bitter leaves 180

Notes 182

Bibliography 184

Index 190