When thinking about creating a collection of ideas, images, stories from the field and foundational documents to help unearth the ideas behind playful inquiry this article by the founder of the schools of Reggio Emilia, Loris Malaguzzi, rises to the top. Loris’ clear articulation around how our own individual beliefs and values influence what is possible for the children within our care asks educators to pause, reflect and look inward. Who are you? What do you believe that you are capable of? What did your own experiences communicate to you about what you, and in turn the children you care for, are capable of?  Teaching begins, he argues, at this inflection point. Without turning inward and examining our own experiences, biases and mindsets are we destined to unwittingly limit children’s capabilities? Or can we be vulnerable enough to unpack our own biases, struggles as well as joys and then look for and celebrate those in the children?

To read the full article by Loris Malaguzzi click the link below.

https://www.reggioalliance.org/downloads/malaguzzi:ccie:1994.pdf

Dive deeper into the role our own implicit bias shapes how we make decisions in the preschool classroom by listening to this Podcast from the Children’s Institute with Dr. Walter Gilliam on Preschool Expulsion and Bias.