The hundred languages of the child: early childhood education inspired by Loris Malaguzzi’s pedagogical thinking Cover Image

Sto języków dziecka: wczesna edukacja z inspiracji myślą pedagogiczną Lorisa Malaguzzi
The hundred languages of the child: early childhood education inspired by Loris Malaguzzi’s pedagogical thinking

Author(s): Maria Szczepska-Pustkowska
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Polskie Towarzystwo Pedagogiczne
Keywords: criticism of modern schools; early childhood education; philosophy of Reggio Emilia; Loris Malaguzzi

Summary/Abstract: Reaching so deeply into the past, the school has been criticized for incomplete and incorrect implementation of its basic functions. This was done from conservative, liberal and radical points of view. Conservative criticism concentrated its attack on a school, focusing primarily on the fact that the transmission of culture does not provide students with training that meets the requirements of modern civilization. Liberal criticism focused on unmasking the anti-humanitarian nature of the school: the purpose of their actions has been the protection of children’s rights and education efforts to create a welcoming development of an individual. Finally - radical criticism showed a school as an institution possessing a potent tool of symbolic violence and political and cultural marginalization. It was pointed out that the current school relationship reflects the attitudes and practices typical of an oppressive society. Therefore, it becomes an institution in which to carry out acts of violence on the identity of individuals and groups, and it deprives them of their voice in the social discourse, pushing them into the culture of silence. As a result, the school severely limits or even blocks the chances of development of individuals, specific groups, social classes and even society in general. For these (and many other) reasons, the school is increasingly treated as an island of extreme artificiality and a product, which is judged to have its imminent and inevitable end in the junkyard of history. At the same time, it should be remembered that even the most radical opposition to the school is sometimes an important starting point for the exploration of alternatives. The reflections in this paper were inspired by the philosophy of education of Loris Malaguzzi - Italian teacher, author and founder of alternative institutions for preschool children in Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy.

  • Issue Year: IX/2013
  • Issue No: 1 (20)
  • Page Range: 76-90
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Polish