Loris Malaguzzi was one of the most important figures in 20th century
early childhood education, achieving world-wide recognition for his
educational ideas and his role in the creation of municipal schools for
young children in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia, the most successful
example ever of progressive, democratic and public education.
Despite Malaguzzi's reputation, very little of what he wrote or said
about early childhood education has been available in English. This book
helps fill the gap, presenting for the first time in English, writings
and speeches spanning 1945 to 1993, selected by a group of his
colleagues from an archive established in Reggio Emilia. They range from
short poems, letters and newspaper articles to extended pieces about
Malaguzzi's early life, the origins of the municipal schools and his
ideas about children, pedagogy and schools. This material is organised
into five chronological chapters, starting at the end of World War Two
and ending just before his death, with introductions to each chapter
providing background, including the historical context, the main events
in Malaguzzi's life and the rationale for the selection of documents.
The book provides a unique insight into the background, thinking and
work of Malaguzzi, revealing, in his own words, how his thinking
developed, how he moved between theory and practice, how he
border-crossed many disciplines and subjects, and how he combined many
roles ranging from administrator and campaigner to researcher and
pedagogue. Academics, students and practitioners alike will find this
landmark publication provides rich insights into his life and work.
