Being located in Emilia-Romagna, the region where our roots lie, we are naturally influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach — one of the most internationally recognized educational philosophies, developed just a short distance from Smiling International School.
Today, this approach is embraced by schools and families around the world seeking a less conventional and more child-centered educational pathway, one that values curiosity, creativity, and the individual development of each student.
Recent international attention, including the visit of Catherine, Princess of Wales to Reggio Emilia, has once again highlighted the global significance and relevance of this educational philosophy.
Originating in the aftermath of World War II, the approach was developed in Northern Italy by educator Loris Malaguzzi. It is widely recognised for its progressive vision of children as capable, curious, and active participants in their own learning journey. Rather than relying on rigid methods of instruction, the approach encourages exploration, collaboration, creativity, and the development of meaningful relationships within the learning environment.
At Smiling International School, the Reggio-inspired philosophy plays a central role in Early Years education. Learning spaces are intentionally designed to encourage discovery and engagement, offering children opportunities to explore materials, ideas, and experiences in a hands-on way.
A key principle of this approach is the concept of the environment as the “third teacher.” Classrooms are viewed not simply as places of instruction, but as dynamic learning spaces designed to inspire thinking, communication, and collaboration. Every element of the environment is intentionally curated to support children’s natural curiosity and their desire to explore, investigate, and make sense of the world around them.
That’s why we decided to create our own atelier, inspired by this philosophy, to support our children in their aim to express themselves and their artistic development.
Within an international and bilingual setting, the Reggio-inspired approach supports the development of the whole child. Alongside academic growth, it nurtures creativity, emotional awareness, communication skills, and a strong sense of independence.
We believe that every child holds extraordinary potential, and our aim is to nurture and guide each child in expressing it to the fullest.
