We've added to our Reggio Preschools introduction page a video interview of Professor Carla Rinaldi recounting the first days of the emergence of Reggio's preschools, after the destruction of WWII: " democracy cannot be  taught but has to be lived - learned through real processes of democracy, not just about voting … but about the practice of reciprocity and mutual respect … in the processes of participating in life."

In these days, across the world, these messages are surely extremely pertinent.

​Here is a documentation project which is powerful and poignant for all those moved by the story of Reggio Emilia and the emergence of its preschools.  Prof. Dr. Sabine Lingenauber & Janina von Niebelschütz of Fulda University have been engaged on a three-year interview and research project which projects the experiences of the determined young women of Reggio Emilia in the 1940's. RESISTANCE-RELATIONSHIPS-MOVEMENTS are very apt constructs in their presentation of these powerful interview-memoirs.

"The narrations of Ione Bartoli, Eletta Bertani, Giacomina Castagnetti, Loretta Giaroni, Lidia Greci, Marta Lusuardi and Carla Maria Nironi bear witness to events that should be remembered. They show how female partisans, citizens, councillors, politicians and municipal councillors influence the development of a new form of education (Reggio Emilia Approach) in Reggio Emilia from the Resistenza (1943–1945), to the women's movement and up until today."

Three DVDs are in production, and you can view clips from them here on their website, and a further introductory compilation on Youtube 

Right now, 420 educators including 50+ from the UK, are encountering the optimistic and determined work of the city of Reggio Emilia to build an education which is founded on celebrating children's learning potential. The determination and enthusiasm of everyone here fuels optimism and example that things can be different for children and for schools - in the UK and worldwide -even when we experience the 'brick wall' of governments which seem determined to build warehouses of instruction in place of the creative learning which children deserve.

In a new report on primary assessment, the committee found pupils are being taught a narrower curriculum, with staff neglecting arts and humanities subjects by focusing too heavily on maths and English to ensure pupils pass the controversial exams.​'

'Increasingly parents are asking what they can do to protect children from the high stakes testing in primary schools. There's a mainstream awareness that the system is not fit for purpose and that the pressure children face in primary school is damaging.
It's hard for parents to know what to do for the best. Parents are very respectful of teachers and headteachers and trust them with the well-being of their children. However, parents are also aware that the teaching profession is speaking out against SATs and being ignored.

• This Question Time clip shows the strength of public opinion against the high stakes testing and the frustration felt by the profession.
• This article shows that MPs are aware of the link between SATs and mental health.
• This report shows the severe impact high pressured testing can have on young children.'

LetKidsBeKids are promoting a parent-led 'withdrawal from SATs' campaign -

Read More here. (Let Kids Be Kids)