hypothesis on the point of view of a very small Composgnathus dinoasaur: Mohamed, 8 years

"A school where experience, the doing of body and hands and thinking come together; a school as a learning "workshop", where creativity and the aesthetic dimension become essential qualities of knowledge."

During our recent Skylight research group visit to Reggio, we visited the Malaguzzi Centre Primary School, to explore how their pedagogy is evolving, and were drawn to a new publication of theirs which throws a great light on their experience. We think that it is really fascinating, and gives a lively insight into the work and life of this primary school, its children and educators.It is an ideal reader if you are planning to attend a Study Week in Reggio, as you are likely to have the chance to see inside this school, and will really help you understand what's going on. 

Usually, it is only  available to visitors to the school, but by arrangement we will be able to order copies. Here is a review of the book, kindly written by Chris Merrick, and at the close of this article is what to do if you want to order the book.

The Many Faces of The Assembly

For all educators and parents who are interested in:

• ​how children can be supported in flying with an idea
  
• how many languages of expression can interweave in places of intelligent education
  
• how documentation can be winningly created to show the intricate evolution of an 'educational story'  
  

Here is a new video from the preschools of Reggio Emilia, illustrating the conversations and processes of children  and teachers relating experiences of their morning meeting and discussions.  This video is a must! It is ideal summer viewing for educators looking for some inspiration before the new year.

"A study on the human figure in drawing, clay and photography.

The human figure is explored in the context of the morning assembly that brings together all 26 children of the class. The investigation interweaves drawing, clay, and photography, seeking in the connections between the three languages the expressive and cognitive elements for understanding and evolving."

We were introduced to this work last year in Reggio, whilst it was still being edited, and we've been eagerly waiting for it to be available for you. Now it is!

It follows a five-year class in Reggio, as they wonder how they can tell the story of their morning assembly, to children who perhaps don't have one. And the editing relates their complex learning, and the many intricate stages, in a particularly engaging and filmic manner. 

Both the content and the multi-layered video-editing style has much to say to all of us who are keen to make visible to a wide audience the engaged learning of children, and of intelligent education. Don't let it pass you by.

You can get it here from our website

"What holds a collective intelligence together is not the possession of knowledge - which is relatively static, but the social process of acquiring knowledge - which is dynamic and participatory, continually testing and reaffirming the group's social ties." 

Henry Jenkins, Professor of Communication, Journalism, Cinematic Arts and Education, University of Southern California

​Dogs, Bones & Dancing!

A detailed review of this two year work will be published in Nursery World next Monday online.

The article will then appear in the next printed edition. We've had a lovely time discussing it with Annette Rastrone, the writer.

You can sign up to Nursery World online for free (for seven days) to read the article.

Dogs, Bones & Dancing is a free multimedia online publication, made possible through our Youth Music funding. You can read more  and sign up to view it by clicking here..

Here is an extract from a reflection by our colleague Professor Colwyn Trevarthen: