Taking education beyond books through the Italian method

Focusing on concepts like creativity, exploration and innovation, a new exhibition seeks acquaint Indians with taking education beyond the confines of bookish knowledge.

The exhibition, "The Wonder of Learning - the hundred languages of children", based on the Reggio Emilia approach to education, intends to introduce a change in the way concepts are taught at the primary level. This is the first time the exhibition has come to India.

Inaugurating the exhibition Friday, Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini said: "Finally, the exhibition comes to India. The Reggio Emilia approach for early childhood learning has evolved many lives across boarders and today it is here for children, parents, teachers and trainers in India to take advantage from."

Introduced by Loris Malaguzzi in Italy after World War II, the Reggio Emilia approach of learning aims to necessitate a way of making children learn from their own experiences and observations, rather than through rigid techniques. It essentially focuses on free will in early childhood education.

Comprising text and picture-based panels supported by audio-visuals, the exhibition presents an illustrative model of the points of view that characterise the works carried out at Reggio Emilia schools in Italy.

Organised by Salwan Public School, Mayur Vihar, the month-long show at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has been organised in collaboration with the Reggio Emilia Institute, Italy.

"This exhibition intends to draw international attention to the importance of education and schools as places for discussion and mutual exchange. It speaks to all those involved in schooling, and to members of the public who believe that safeguarding educational processes and their evolution is of fundamental importance," said Salwan Public School principal Kiran Mehta.