NAREA Reception

In the spirit of uniting educators and advocates who are passionate about inspiring changes in early childhood programs, the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) board hosted a reception at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA. Amelia Gambetti, educator, Reggio Children International Network Coordinator and Liaison for Consultancy to Schools, and Lella Gandini, Ed.D, Reggio Children U.S. liaison for dissemination of the Reggio Emilia approach, shared experiences from the infant toddler centers and preschools of the Istituzion Municipality of Reggio Emilia and from the Loris Malaguzzi International Center.

In their presentation, Gambetti and Gandini introduced the topic of light, how children encounter light, and the experience and identity of the "Ray of Light Atelier," a large atelier focusing on that topic, which was constructed in the International Center Loris Malaguzzi in Reggio Emilia, in order to offer opportunities to explore the language of light to children of various ages. “The Wonder of Learning – The Hundred Languages of Children” exhibit includes a section dedicated to the Ray of Light Atelier with a number of projects documented. Currently, this traveling exhibition is in Santa Monica, CA. For more information, go to: http://www.thewonderoflearning.com/?lang=en_GB If you are a NAREA member, you can read about the Ray of Light Atelier in the Innovations in Early Education: The International Reggio Exchange, Fall 2009 issue.

Gambetti and Gandini shared a video clip of children exploring the Ray of Light Atelier. Inspired by color and light, cognitive and creative languages of children were shared. Where do you think the light comes from? A five year old, “The light dies from within the sky.” Another child explained, “You need light to make darkness.” I look forward to the NAREA conference tomorrow and spending more time with these passionate and inspirational educators that are helping light the way for others.