The recent visit of Catherine, Princess of Wales, to Reggio Emilia in Italy caught my attention. As we both attended an amazing school where creativity and the arts were deeply valued, I was delighted to read her reflections today on the pioneering work of the Malaguzzi Centre, where educational environments nurture creativity, connection and human potential.
“I have truly experienced first-hand how nature and creativity can place connection at the centre of the world of children […]. Our task, in early childhood, is to protect and nurture the connections that are the foundation of well-being for a lifetime.”— Catherine, Princess of Wales
Six years ago, during my own visit to Reggio, I was inspired by an educational philosophy intertwined with a lived culture of learning. There was an extraordinary sense of respect for children, translated into tangible resources — art materials and conduits for their ideas and curiosity, talented artists working as teachers, beautiful spaces in the community.
The Reggio Emilia approach has evolved and developed over the last two decades to bring an interesting dimension to child development. The Malaguzzi Centre pioneers an awareness of childhood aesthetic sensibility. What makes this so powerful is that it does not see children as passive learners waiting to be instructed. Instead, children are viewed as capable, expressive and instinctively connected to the world around them. The environment itself becomes part of the learning experience. Light and space matter. Conversations matter. Relationships matter.
One of the most memorable aspects of my visit was seeing how intentionally educators created spaces where children could question, collaborate and express themselves in many different ways. Learning was not rushed. Curiosity was not interrupted. Childhood itself was treated with seriousness and care. Not as a formula to copy exactly — every community and culture is different — but as a reminder that the emotional and relational foundations of learning are just as important as academic outcomes.
At Children First in Zurich, we integrate the best new approaches through visits to schools around the world and teacher training. Proven innovation and the latest insights are incorporated into our concept, which we then develop in our work with the children. The Children First concept has assimilated the Reggio approach through our weekly art ateliers run by Bianca Gasparro of KidsAtelier since 2024. We look forward to continuing workshops at our new Reggio-designed education centre at Bellerivestrasse 203. in Zurich.
The Reggio approach continues to remind us that education begins with human connection. The early years shape confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of learning. As educators, we see the significance of these foundations for the development of the brain in early childhood. As we begin the next chapter of Children First, these principles will continue to guide us as we create environments where children can flourish — academically, socially and emotionally.
Monica Shah Zeeman , Founder of Children First Zurich
