The aim of the community was to reconstruct society, placing paramount importance on a new style of teaching. Parents viewed their children as innocent and wanted their children to feel safe and secure and learn the importance of a democratic society. This is in direct contrast to the view of children in the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Children and childbearing was treated harshly and the child viewed as evil in construct as they were born in the era of original sin (Berk, …show more content…
2000, p.2). Initially the movement started as a community based project where educators, parents and teachers worked together and evolved to what is now a renowned form of innovative education. Malaguzzi’s teaching philosophies stem from the social constructivism theories drawn from Vygotsky, Dewey and Bruner (Edwards, C. P. 2002). Teaching principals for the Reggio approach concentrate on an education that is relationship centric. Malaguzzi (1993) claims that building and nurturing relationships creates meaningful learning experiences. Children are miniature adults and are powerful as they help co construct their learning and development. Children are encouraged to make independent choices, forming and expressing their own ideas and opinions and recognise that they have their own rights. Rather than children with disabilities having special needs, children have special rights and expectantly participate in their group as valuable social members. (Thornton, L., & Brunton, P.