Celebrating the 100th Birthday and Lasting Legacy of Loris Malaguzzi
This thoughtfully curated bundle of Innovations includes all four issues from 2020. These volumes form a rich tribute to Loris Malaguzzi, visionary founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth with powerful reflections, peer-reviewed research, and vibrant documentation of educational practice across the globe.
Volume 1 initiates the yearlong celebration with tributes and interviews exploring Malaguzzi’s lasting influence on educators. Highlights include reflections on his supportive relationships with teachers, the transformative work of Project Infinity, and international insights into Reggio-inspired research such as the Vermont-based RIVET Tree Project. The issue also documents how educators navigated global disruptions, with reflections from Reggio Children on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Volume 2, released amid the height of the pandemic and a national reckoning with racial and social injustice, grounds the celebration of Malaguzzi's legacy firmly in the present moment. Claudia Giudici, president of Reggio Children, opens the issue urging educators to sustain a pedagogy respectful of children even amid unrest, while contemporary North American voices—including Rukia Rogers of The Highlander School—reflect on Malaguzzi's foundational essay "The Image of the Child." The issue also features the first half of an interview with Baji Rankin on her early encounters with the Reggio Emilia schools, alongside Chiara Angelicola's account of moving early childhood education online during quarantine.
Volume 3 centers on The Joy and Wonder of Co-Inquiry and Invention, emphasizing the profound value of single moments in educational life. Stories such as the intergenerational watercolor project between preschoolers and seniors, and co-authoring experiences between young children, showcase how documentation and reflection deepen understanding. Readers will also find reflections on handwashing as an emergent curriculum opportunity and an interview with Baji Rankin recalling her formative time in Reggio Emilia.
Volume 4 concludes the commemorative year with a blend of historical interviews, personal essays, and critical reflections on the concept of participation—a core principle of Reggio philosophy. Tributes to Malaguzzi include his own words from a rare interview, reflections by longtime collaborator Lella Gandini, and wide-ranging discussions from NAREA’s virtual conferences. The issue also revisits the intergenerational “Puddle of Paint” story and showcases ongoing tree-related research through RIVET 2.0.
Across all four volumes, a common thread emerges: a deep appreciation for the daily moments of discovery, collaboration, and transformation that define the Reggio Emilia Approach. This bundle offers inspiration and insight for educators, researchers, and advocates of early childhood education who wish to explore how documentation, participation, and co-inquiry continue to shape pedagogical practice.
