Principles of Reggio Emilia: Children Are Active Participants in Their Learning

By Stephanie Rino, Director of Curriculum and Learning

Walk into a thoughtfully designed Reggio Emilia preschool, and one thing becomes immediately clear: children are not sitting quietly waiting to be told what to do next. They are moving, wondering, questioning, building, negotiating, experimenting, and—yes—sometimes making a mess.

This is not accidental. It is foundational.

As Director of Curriculum and Learning at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, one of the core beliefs that guides my work every day is the Reggio Emilia principle that children are active participants in their own learning. Children are not empty vessels waiting to be filled with information. They are capable, curious individuals who construct knowledge through experience, relationships, and exploration.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, this belief is not just something we talk about in theory. It is something you can see, hear, and feel in our classrooms every single day.

What Does “Active Participants” Really Mean?

In more traditional models of education, learning often looks like this:

An adult plans the lesson, delivers the information, and children are expected to absorb it.

The Reggio Emilia approach flips that script.

Children are viewed as:

• Curious investigators
• Natural problem-solvers
• Thoughtful collaborators
• Meaning-makers

Being an active participant means children:

• Ask questions and pursue answers
• Make choices about materials and experiences
• Test ideas through hands-on exploration
• Learn with others, not just from adults

In a Reggio Emilia preschool, learning is not something that happens to children. It is something that happens with them, and that distinction matters deeply.

Why This Principle Matters So Much in Early Childhood

Young children are biologically wired to learn through action. They learn by touching, moving, testing boundaries, and revisiting ideas again and again.

When children are treated as active participants:

• Learning becomes meaningful, not memorized
• Confidence grows because children see their ideas valued
• Critical thinking develops early
• Children learn how to learn, not just what to learn

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, we often say that learning sticks when children help build it themselves. This belief shapes how our classrooms are designed, how our educators engage with children, and how projects unfold over time.

What This Looks Like at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse

In a Reggio Emilia preschool like Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, you won’t find rigid lesson plans taped to the wall dictating exactly what happens hour by hour.

Instead, you will see:

• Open-ended materials intentionally placed to invite exploration
• Educators observing and listening before stepping in
• Projects that evolve based on children’s interests
• Conversations that matter just as much as outcomes

From a curriculum standpoint, this means flexibility with purpose. Our educators are deeply intentional, but they remain responsive to children’s ideas, questions, and curiosities.

Following Children’s Curiosity

Let’s say a group of children becomes fascinated by shadows after noticing them stretch across the playground.

In a traditional model, that curiosity might be acknowledged briefly before moving on.

In the Reggio Emilia approach, that curiosity becomes the curriculum.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, educators might:

• Bring in light tables, mirrors, and flashlights
• Ask children what they notice and wonder
• Document their ideas and revisit them together
• Extend the learning through art, storytelling, and outdoor exploration

The children are not passive recipients of a “shadow lesson.” They are co-researchers, developing theories, testing ideas, and revising their thinking along the way.

The Role of the Educator: Guide, Not Director

One of the most misunderstood aspects of the Reggio Emilia approach is the role of the educator.

Our educators are not hands-off. They are highly intentional.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, our educators:

• Observe closely
• Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions
• Introduce materials at just the right moment
• Encourage reflection and collaboration

Rather than saying, “Here’s how to do it,” an educator might ask:

• “What do you think would happen if…?”
• “How could we solve this together?”
• “What does this remind you of?”

These questions invite children to take ownership of their learning, while knowing a supportive, knowledgeable adult is right there beside them.

What This Means for Families

For families, this principle can be both exciting and reassuring.

When children are active participants in their learning:

• They come home talking about what they discovered
• Learning feels joyful, not forced
• Children develop confidence in their abilities

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, families are true partners in this process. Through documentation, conversations, and shared experiences, parents can see how their child’s thinking grows and evolves over time.

It is not about producing perfect projects. It is about nurturing confident, curious learners.

Why This Principle Sets the Foundation for Lifelong Learning

When children learn that their ideas matter, that questions are welcome, and that learning is something they help create, they carry that mindset with them.

The Reggio Emilia approach does not just prepare children for kindergarten. It prepares them for life.

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse, I see the impact every day:

• Children who ask thoughtful questions
• Children who persist through challenges
• Children who collaborate with confidence
• Children who genuinely love learning

And truly, what more could we hope for?

Coming Up Next in Our Reggio Emilia Series

This principle is just the beginning. In our next post, we will explore another core belief of the Reggio Emilia approach and how it comes to life in our Reggio Emilia preschool classrooms at Little Sunshine’s Playhouse.

Because when children are trusted as capable learners, incredible things happen, and we are honored to be part of that journey. ✨

If this article sparked your interest, there’s so much more to explore. Our About page dives deeper into how exceptional early education can nurture a child’s natural curiosity, confidence, and love of learning. You can even experience this approach for yourself at a Reggio Emilia preschool and daycare near you. We’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep learning together.