Italy’s Reggio Children on October 16 announced a partnership with Vietnam-based Embassy Education to introduce and implement Reggio Emilia Approach, a world-renowned Italian early-childhood educational approach, in Vietnam.

Creative works by children at a school applying the Reggio Emilia Approach
- Photo: Courtesy of Embassy Education

The approach has inspired many early-childhood educators across the globe. Headquartered at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center in Reggio Emilia, Italy, its network spans across multiple countries around the world.

In Vietnam, there are a number of prominent preschools that have been inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Recognizing the extensive and genuine learning impact that young children can achieve through the approach, Embassy Education connected with Reggio Children through the Consulate General of Italy in 2017.

“We in Reggio Emilia believe that quality education is a priority for our community. We are therefore very pleased to share these values with Vietnamese people, and with Embassy Education that agrees with us on the importance of the investment in early childhood education, to create and develop the conditions for a better future for all,” said Dr. Claudia Giudici, president of Reggio Children.

This agreement allows Embassy Education to contextualize the Reggio Emilia Approach in the local culture to ensure children retain their Vietnamese sense of identity while building upon the robust framework of Reggio Emilia pedagogy.

The agreement also saw the opening of a Reggio Emilia center in HCM City’s District 3 to offer teacher professional development initiatives, share aspects of the Reggio Emilia philosophies, and provide support and advice to schools and parents from an authentic Reggio context.

Italian Consul General in HCMC Dante Brandi said he was pleased to act as the initial connector and was gratified to see the agreement coming to fruition and giving Vietnam the opportunities that are available in Italy.

“Through the Reggio Children’s center there now exists an official and exclusive center for the people of Vietnam to adopt, learn and develop the features of Reggio Emilia in early-childhood education,” he said.