Celebrating Loris Malaguzzi: The Visionary Behind the Reggio Emilia Approach

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool, we believe children are naturally curious, creative, and full of potential. Every day, we witness their imaginations come to life through storytelling, problem-solving, and hands-on exploration. This belief—that children are powerful learners who thrive in nurturing and stimulating environments—was at the heart of Loris Malaguzzi’s vision, and it continues to inspire everything we do.

And what better time to honor his legacy than on his 105th birthday this February? As we celebrate the life and work of Loris Malaguzzi, we want to reflect on the ways his philosophy—the Reggio Emilia approach—has shaped early childhood education and how it continues to guide our classrooms today.

Who Was Loris Malaguzzi?

Loris Malaguzzi was born on February 23, 1920, in the town of Correggio, Italy. He became a teacher, but his greatest impact on education began in the aftermath of World War II. During this time, the people of Reggio Emilia, a city in northern Italy, were determined to rebuild—not just their homes and schools, but a better future for their children.

Malaguzzi saw an opportunity to revolutionize education by creating a system that honored children’s voices, creativity, and innate abilities. He worked with parents and educators to develop an entirely new way of thinking about learning—one that didn’t rely on rigid curriculums but instead embraced exploration, collaboration, and self-expression.

And thus, the Reggio Emilia approach was born.

The Reggio Emilia Approach: A Philosophy of Possibilities

Loris Malaguzzi believed that children are not empty vessels waiting to be filled with knowledge—instead, they are active participants in their own learning. The Reggio Emilia philosophy is centered around a few core principles that shape how we teach at Little Sunshine’s.

✨ The Hundred Languages of Children

One of Malaguzzi’s most famous ideas is that children communicate, learn, and express themselves in many different ways—not just through words, but through drawing, painting, movement, music, dramatic play, and more.

“The child has a hundred languages (and a hundred hundred more)…” – Loris Malaguzzi

This philosophy encourages us to create diverse, rich learning environments where children can explore and express themselves in ways that feel natural to them. Whether it’s through building with blocks, sculpting with clay, or acting out a story with friends, we encourage every child to discover their own unique voice.

🔍 Children as Capable and Curious Learners

Malaguzzi saw children as competent, powerful learners who don’t need to be spoon-fed information—they need opportunities to ask questions, experiment, and make discoveries. Instead of providing all the answers, we guide children to think critically and explore possibilities on their own.

For example, if a child is curious about how plants grow, we don’t just tell them—we plant seeds together, observe the changes, document our findings, and encourage discussion. Learning isn’t just about memorization—it’s about active, hands-on experiences.

🏡 The Environment as the Third Teacher

One of the most important aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach is the idea that the classroom itself is a teacher. Malaguzzi believed that a thoughtfully designed space encourages exploration, collaboration, and creativity.

At Little Sunshine’s, we design our classrooms to be beautiful, inviting, and inspiring. You won’t find rows of desks and worksheets—our spaces are filled with natural materials, child-created artwork, interactive learning stations, and open-ended activities.

Every corner of the classroom is meant to spark curiosity, from the art studio to the cozy reading nook to the science exploration area. The environment isn’t just a place where learning happens—it’s an active participant in a child’s development.

🤝 Collaboration and Community

Malaguzzi believed that learning is a social experience, and that children learn best when they collaborate with peers, teachers, and family members.

That’s why we emphasize group projects, discussions, and shared experiences in our classrooms. Whether it’s working together on a giant mural, building a structure out of recycled materials, or solving a problem as a team, children learn the importance of communication, cooperation, and respect for others’ ideas.

And it’s not just about peer relationships—parents and caregivers are seen as partners in education. We encourage families to be involved in their child’s learning journey, just as Malaguzzi envisioned.

Malaguzzi’s Legacy Lives On

Loris Malaguzzi dedicated his life to transforming early childhood education, and today, his vision continues to inspire schools all over the world—including ours.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool, we are proud to embrace the Reggio Emilia philosophy in everything we do. Every time we encourage a child to follow their curiosity, every time we listen to their ideas, and every time we provide an environment that nurtures creativity and exploration, we are honoring Malaguzzi’s legacy.

As we celebrate his birthday, we reflect on the ways his work has made early childhood education more meaningful, child-centered, and joyful.

Happy Birthday, Loris Malaguzzi! 🎉

As we honor Malaguzzi’s birthday, we invite you to celebrate with us!

🎨 Encourage your child to explore a new “language” today! Whether it’s painting, storytelling, or building with blocks, give them the freedom to express themselves in new and creative ways.

📝 Share a special memory of your child’s learning journey to our social media. Have they ever surprised you with their creativity or problem-solving skills? We’d love to hear about it!

📚 Want to learn more? Explore books and resources about the Reggio Emilia approach and see how this philosophy can transform the way we think about learning.

Loris Malaguzzi’s legacy reminds us that children are powerful, capable, and filled with wonder—and that’s something worth celebrating, today and every day!

Happy Birthday, Loris Malaguzzi!

Don’t stop here – keep reading!