Reggio Emilia is a play and project-based approach to learning developed by Loris Malaguzzi in Italy after World War II. Following the chaos and destruction of WWII, parents and teachers believed that a new approach to education needed to be developed. They believed that children have "one hundred languages" which they use to communicate. The Reggio Emilia approach focuses on teaching children how to communicate successfully and develop relationships with each other and their community.
The Reggio Emilia approach encourages children to communicate and work together, learning through play, exploration, and group projects. Teachers are considered co-learners and encourage their students to explore their surroundings. If a child asks a question or shows interest in a subject, the teacher helps the children put together a project to explore that question or topic in greater detail, often incorporating reading, science, history, and math into the project. Incorporating these core subjects into child-directed group projects, creates meaningful learning experiences for the students.