What is the Reggio Emilia approach?
The Reggio Emilia approach is an internationally recognised philosophy of early childhood education that sees every child as capable, curious and full of ideas.
Children learn through relationships, play, exploration and many different ways of expressing themselves.
At Nido Early School, it inspires us to listen to every child’s voice and create meaningful learning from the moments, questions and discoveries that shape every day.
What does Reggio Emilia mean for my child?
It means your child is an active participant in their learning. Every child brings different interests, strengths, experiences and ways of communicating. Nido Educators listen closely and use these insights to shape experiences that feel relevant to your child and help their learning develop.
Their ideas are valued
Educators listen to what interests your child and give them meaningful opportunities to make choices, contribute ideas and be heard.
They can learn in different ways
Your child can investigate an idea through talking, drawing, building, movement, music, nature, imaginative play and many other forms of expression.
Learning has meaning
Experiences begin with what your child is noticing and wondering about. This makes learning more meaningful and helps develop confidence, creativity, communication and problem-solving through everyday moments that matter.
What does child-led learning mean?
Child-led learning does not mean a day without structure, guidance or clear learning intentions. Nido Educators balance children’s interests with intentional teaching, daily routines and carefully planned experiences.
Nido’s Infant and Toddler Curriculum and Kindergarten Curriculum provide a consistent approach to learning at each stage of development. Both are guided by the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and inspired by Reggio Emilia. Nido Educators combine intentional teaching with learning shaped by each child’s interests, ideas and ways of communicating.
What might Reggio-inspired learning look like during the day?
At Nido, we believe every day matters because meaningful learning can begin with something very small: a child finds a worm in the garden, notices an orange growing on a tree, or becomes interested in a passing truck.
An idea begins
Educators notice what captures the children’s attention and listen to their questions, theories and conversations.
The idea develops
They might add books, natural materials, art resources, measuring tools or a community visit so children can investigate the idea in different ways.
Learning becomes visible
Children’s words, creations and discoveries may be documented and shared, allowing children, Educators and families to revisit the learning and decide where it could go next.
What are the hundred languages of children?
The ‘hundred languages’ describes the many ways children think, communicate and make sense of the world. Words are only one language. A child may also express an idea through paint, clay, movement, music, building, role play, mark-making or facial expression.
At Nido, every child matters and every voice matters. By recognising each child’s different ways of communicating, Educators can understand them more deeply and provide meaningful ways for them to participate, share ideas and show what they know.
Why is the environment called the third teacher?
In Reggio Emilia-inspired education, every environment has a purpose. Spaces and resources are thoughtfully arranged to invite curiosity, independence, collaboration, and sustained exploration, giving children the freedom to make choices and follow their ideas.
Nido early schools use calm colours, natural materials and thoughtfully arranged resources to help children see possibilities and make choices. Our early schools also include purpose-designed spaces such as ateliers for creativity and investigation, piazzas for shared experiences and cucinas where food and cooking become part of learning. Indoor and outdoor environments reflect our connection with nature and commitment to sustainability.
What is the Educator’s role in Reggio-inspired learning?
Nido Educators learn alongside children. They listen closely, observe carefully and use their professional knowledge to make everyday moments count. Rather than supplying every answer, they encourage children to test ideas, solve problems, collaborate and take their thinking further.
Educators also document learning so children can revisit their thinking and families can understand more than what their child did. They can see what their child was exploring, learning and beginning to understand.
How are families involved?
Families know their children best and are important partners in learning. We invite you to share your child’s interests, culture, routines and experiences and to contribute ideas that can enrich their learning at Nido.
Storypark updates and conversations with Educators help keep families connected with their child’s day. Your insights can also help an interest from home become part of a wider investigation at the early school.
Reggio Emilia and Montessori
Reggio Emilia and Montessori, both founded in 20th century Italy, are two similar educational philosophies but with different methodologies. Both are child-centric educational approaches that foster curiosity, creativity and life-long learning.
The fundamental differences between the two systems are as follows:
| Reggio Emilia approach | Montessori | |
|---|---|---|
| Key focus | Collaborative, project based learning | Individualised learning |
| Role of the educator | The role of the educator is multi-faceted and responsive to the needs of the children | Children are given the skills to learn independently |
| The classroom | The environment is considered a ‘third teacher.’ Learning is influenced by the resources, materials, educators and children within the environment | More structured approach to learning |
| The curriculum | Reflective of the context and the community where the Early School is situated | Learning is structured by the Montessori curriculum rather than the community |
| Age grouping | Children benefit from multi-age interactions at key times throughout the day, as well as being grouped by age | Multi-age classrooms |
See Reggio-inspired learning at Nido
The best way to understand Nido’s approach is to see it in action: children’s ideas being heard, Educators extending their thinking and environments inviting discovery. Visit your local Nido Early School and see how every child’s voice helps shape meaningful learning, every day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nido a Reggio Emilia school?
Nido Early School is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and applies its principles within the Australian early education and care context. Our approach also follows the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standard.
How does Nido’s approach to learning connect with Reggio Emilia?
Nido’s Infant and Toddler Curriculum and Kindergarten Curriculum provide a clear learning framework for every stage of your child’s early years. Both are guided by the Australian Early Years Learning Framework and inspired by Reggio Emilia. This means Educators combine intentional teaching with learning shaped by each child’s interests, ideas and ways of communicating.
Your child receives purposeful learning suited to their age and development, while still having a voice in how that learning unfolds.
Links:
- Explore our Infant and Toddler Curriculum
- Explore our Kindergarten Curriculum
How does Reggio-inspired learning support babies and toddlers?
Babies and toddlers communicate long before they can explain an idea in words. Educators respond to gestures, sounds, movement, expressions and emerging interests, while providing secure relationships, familiar routines and sensory experiences that support early learning and development.
Will my child still learn literacy, numeracy and STEM?
Yes. Literacy, numeracy, science, technology, engineering and mathematics are woven through meaningful play, projects and everyday experiences. A cooking activity, for example, can involve language, counting, measuring, prediction, collaboration and fine motor skills.
How will I know what my child is learning?
Educators make learning visible through conversations, observations and documentation shared with families, including through our communication app, Storypark. This helps you see the thinking, skills and development behind an activity, not only the finished result.
Does every Nido early school follow the same projects and activities?
No. Both Nido’s Infant and Toddler Curriculum, and Kindergarten Curriculum, provide a consistent educational foundation, but projects and experiences respond to the children, families and community at each early school.
What is the difference between Reggio Emilia and Montessori?
Both approaches began in Italy and value children’s independence and capability. Montessori commonly uses a defined sequence of specialised materials and individual work, while Reggio Emilia places greater emphasis on relationships, collaboration, open-ended projects, many forms of expression and learning that develops from children’s ideas. Nido is inspired by Reggio Emilia.