Fundamentals: Advocacy
In order to create a pathway for people new to Reggio-inspired work and deepen our shared thinking, we offer a regular column, Fundamentals, to introduce and explore central principles of the Reggio Approach. The Reggio Approach is a complex system of thought and practice with many dynamic and synergistic entry points; it is not a method, program or curriculum. (Key Principles)

​​Education is “always a political discourse whether we know it or not. It is about working with cultural choices, but it clearly also means working with political choices.”

Loris Malaguzzi

The Reggio Emilia project had an explicitly political birth at the end of World War II contesting fascism, asserting women’s rights and calling for greater social equality through collective civic action. This political aspect of the Reggio Approach is often overlooked or avoided.

https://reggio-emilia-research.com/en/

A basic principle of the Reggio Approach is an image of the child as capable, competent, desiring to be in relation with others and bearing rights. Advocacy is not a separate activity in this context, but instead, a fundamental role for teachers, parents and the wider community as they defend and promote these rights, desires and potentials.

 A journey into rights

Making learning visible through documentation brings the thinking of children into public awareness: 

at the mall,

at the Capitol and


within administrative venues.

You are engaged in advocacy, not only when you work to influence public policy or engage in civic action, but also when you document and make visible the work of children, collaborate with colleagues, participate in a Network event or challenge norms.