A Culture of Research
'Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning how to learn.' Loris Malaguzzi
The educational project of Reggio Emilia is an on going pedagogical research project between teachers, parents, children and the community. It is a research project about teaching and learning and the relationship between them. This research has led to a particular way of thinking about children, education and learning.
This is not research as an activity conducted by outside specialists, but as part of everyday practice that can be conducted by everyone: the researching child, the researching teacher, the researching parent.
'Research is a habit of mind, an attitude that can be developed or neglected. It is a response to curiosity and doubt. It constructs new knowledge, makes for critical thinking and is part of citizenship and democracy. Like everything else about Reggio, research is not a solitary activity, but a process of relationships and dialogue.' Carla Rinaldi and Peter Moss.
